“Modern, affordable homes” introduced to Byker in £316k regeneration project

Byker Community Trust (BCT), part of Karbon Homes, has successfully converted three commercial units on the Estate into four “modern, affordable homes”.

71 Dunn Terrace, 66 Northumberland Terrace and the former district heating office on Raby Street have been converted into four one-bedroom, accessible homes with wet rooms.

This follows similar conversions of Erskine House and some of the hobby rooms on the iconic Byker Wall Estate and will help meet the high demand for one-bedroomed ground floor accessible accommodation.

Michelle Bell, assistant director, Byker Community, said: “As part of the consultation on the transfer of engagements from BCT to Karbon, we asked customers what was important to them. They told us they wanted new homes to match the changing demographic needs of their community.

“Together, BCT and Karbon created a Community Pledge to deliver what customers told us they wanted. Increasing the availability of accessible accommodation positively contributes to the longer-term sustainability of the Estate.

“It’s fantastic to see these units being brought back into use and provide much needed affordable homes that our customers have asked for. They offer the opportunity for residents of Byker to remain within their own community, something that was very much part of architect Ralph Erskine’s vision when he built the Byker Estate between 1969 and 1983.”

The contractor for the works was AJ Bennett and RNJ Partnership were the consultants. The cost to convert the units was £316k and BCT received £90k grant funding from Homes England.

Customers are expected to move into the new homes this month.

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