Next phase of Gateshead's £350m regeneration begins Spring 2018

The second phase of Gateshead’s ambitious £350m housing-led regeneration programme is to begin in the spring.

Planning consent has been granted for 114 more homes on three new sites, adding to the 309 completed, or approaching completion - at Birtley, Deckham and Bensham - in phase one.

The new developments will be at Kelvin Grove, off Saltwell Road; the former Rowlands Gill primary school, and Whitehills Drive of Windy Nook, behind the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Christine Curran, development director with Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP), said: “We are delighted to have been given the go ahead to prepare for the second phase of this project, which is delivering much needed, quality family housing in Gateshead.

“However, this programme is not just about the bricks and mortar. We will continue to work closely with existing and newly emerging communities to help build a sustainable long term legacy of employment, local economic activity and cultural opportunities that will reinvigorate neighbourhoods and help to reverse the trend of people moving away from the borough.”

In phase one, at least 25 per cent of the sub contracting and supply work will be awarded to Gateshead-based businesses. Furthermore, a quarter of all the new jobs created will be filled by local people and there will be several new apprenticeships.

So far, 11 previously unemployed people have been taken on, three apprentices employed and £1.5m spent with local suppliers.

The scheme is aiming to also create community facilities and public spaces designed to promote sustainable and lasting communities.

It is being delivered by the GRP, which comprises Gateshead Council, Galliford Try and Home Group.

Over the next decade, the partnership will build over 2,000 homes on various sites right across the borough, delivering a wide range of specially designed homes - most of which are

bespoke to their development - for private sale, shared ownership and affordable rent. Councillor Malcolm Brain, Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for housing, added: “We want Gateshead to be a place where everyone thrives.

“We are committed to putting people and families at the heart of everything we do; working with our partners to provide high-quality housing and to invest in our economy to provide opportunities for employment.”

The first site in place for work to begin is Kelvin Grove, located off Saltwell Road. Here, 52 two, three and four-bedroomed homes will be built, including terraced, semi-detached and detached properties, each with a private garden and either a garage or allocated parking space.

At Windy Nook, the proposal is for 39 two, three and four-bedroomed homes, comprising a mixture of terraced, semi-detached and detached houses with gardens, garages or allocated parking.

At Rowlands Gill, there will be 23 three and four-bedroomed semi-detached and detached houses, including nine split level homes to maximise the fantastic views towards Gibside. All of these homes will benefit from allocated parking or large garages.

When all are completed, GRP will have developed 423 homes with Lifetime Homes accreditation, much greater than normal space standards, energy efficiency and environmental benefits.

Of these, it is estimated that around 25 per cent will be for shared ownership or affordable rent.