Council in £311 million housing investment plan

A local authority has unveiled a £300 million-plus housing improvement plan.

Gateshead Council has set out a five-year blueprint to maintain 18,000 homes and build additional properties.

Bosses say the “major commitment” will “secure the long-term future of council housing in Gateshead”.

The £311 million venture includes an £85 million outlay on kitchen, bathroom and electrical upgrades, and a further £20 million to improve heating supplies.

It also commits to multi-million-pound spending on new windows and doors, insulation and green technologies, communal area upgrades, and garage and estate improvements.

A further £132 million has been committed to new homes and regeneration.

Councillor Chris Buckley, Gateshead Council cabinet member for housing, said: “We are investing heavily in existing and new homes because we know how important safe, warm and high-quality housing is to people’s lives.

“The £132 million we are committing to new homes and regeneration will allow us to build new council houses and acquire properties and reshape estates where needed.”

The authority says funding for the work will come from its housing revenue account and capital programme budgets.

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