The pace of change in Arthur’s Hill has stepped up a gear after organisers of the Neighbourhood Renewal Area scheme - now known as Living Places - announced plans for the second stage of the ambitious facelift project.
Contractors got started earlier this year, with work now well underway on Croydon and Wingrove Roads, with new walls, railings and gates as well as canopies handmade in the traditional style. The scheme is set to provide a facelift for over 2,800 West End homes – if future bids for funding are successful.
New Deal for Communities has invested over £1.6 million in the scheme, but with backing from the City Council and Bridging NewcastleGateshead, the scheme is expected to run for up to ten years in Arthur’s Hill and Elswick Triangle as well as neighbouring Wingrove. Living Places will improve the fronts of houses (things like gates, walls and fences) as well as tackling issues like litter and anti-social behaviour, and encouraging better management of local housing.
This will boost the local housing market – and more importantly, means better homes and a more attractive environment for local people. “It’s about what each street needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution,” said project coordinator Graham Nisbet of Newcastle City Council.
“For Croydon Road we even commissioned exact replicas of an original canopy design made from traditional wood and slate to ensure that the improvements are in keeping with local heritage.”
The next stage of the scheme sees the focus move to Bishops Avenue, Chelsea Grove and Callerton Place, plus a number of homes on Wellesley Terrace and Dilston Road, in addition to continuing work on Wingrove Road. Work is expected to start on the new phase of work before the end of 2007.
Living Places: the next stage
1 – 20 Bishops Avenue
1 – 11 Chelsea Grove (odds) and 2 – 24 Chelsea Grove (evens)
1 & 1a Dilston Road and 2 – 12 Dilston Road (evens)
1 – 7 Wellesley Terrace (odds) and 2 – 18 Wellesley Terrace (evens)
400 – 404 Westgate Road (evens)
1 – 31 Callerton Place (odds)
1 Croydon Road
52a – 88 Wingrove Road and 92 – 130 Wingrove Road(evens)
6 Agricola Road
9 Hadrian Road
1 Severus Road
Later phases are expected to include streets in Elswick Triangle as well as Arthur's Hill.
To find out more, check out the letter to residents from project staff setting out the plans in more detail or contact Graham Nisbet on 0191 277 7863.
