Lord Mayor visits Benwell Dene transformation

A Newcastle housing development is transforming a former brownfield site into a community-focused neighbourhood.

Developer Placefirst and contractor Lovell are delivering 146 new homes at Benwell Dene, a six-acre site off Delaval Road in the city’s West End. 

The development will include 119 houses and 27 apartments, with completion set for June 2027. 

Councillor Rob Higgins, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, who represents the Benwell and Scotswood ward on the Newcastle City Council, was given a tour of the scheme to see the progress being made.

He said: "I am excited at the progress being made on this new housing development at Benwell Dene which I was able to visit recently. 

“After many years of decline due to the loss of traditional industries, the West End of Newcastle is now on the rise and housing developments such as this are such a vital part of these ongoing improvements. 

“It will bring new families to the area and our local schools are already beginning to benefit from these changes with rising levels of performance.”

Placefirst will manage the homes, offering long-term leases, on-site maintenance and pet-friendly tenancies to support sustainable urban living.

Phil Jones, development director at Placefirst, who along with representatives from Lovell recently announced a partnership with nearby Bridgewater School at Benwell Dene, added: “We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to Benwell Dene and share our vision for this new rental community.

“Transforming brownfield sites into thriving neighbourhoods is at the heart of what we do at Placefirst, and it was fantastic to showcase the progress being made by Lovell on construction.

“The development will provide high-quality, long-term rental homes that offer security, sustainability, and a strong sense of community – enhancing the already vibrant character of the area and helping to ease housing shortages. 

“We look forward to seeing Benwell Dene take shape and to welcoming our first residents.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →