John Healey pledges support to a new vision for Byker

Housing Minister John Healey has pledged to give his full support to a new vision published for the future of the iconic Byker estate.

The proposals will bring £48 million into Byker and put the community in control of investment in the estate, redesigning homes, making them greener and creating new employment opportunities for local people. The plan has been prepared by a special taskforce set up by Healey and independently chaired by Professor Peter Roberts. It will be subject to agreement by the Byker community.

Healey met with residents of the historic site where he welcomed proposals for the future of Byker, and pledged Government backing by writing off around £44 million in local housing debt.

Alongside the Taskforce chair, Newcastle City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, the Minister signed a commitment to work together to achieve the vision laid out by the Task Force to invest in a better future for Byker’s residents – refurbishing homes, tackling deprivation, and breathing new life into the area.

The grade II listed Byker Estate has been well-loved by its community for almost 40 years, but is in clear need of investment to meet modern standards. The new proposals for the future of Byker include plans to establish a new Community Trust to take ownership of the area and continue the vital task of its regeneration.

The Byker Task Force propose:
•Establishing a Community Trust for Byker led by local residents to manage investment across the estate, creating training and employment opportunities for local people to tackle deprivation and work to develop homes, land and buildings across Byker.
•Investing in the redesign and renewal of the local environment, community safety, energy efficiency, improved access and better services
•Other priorities would include use of new technology on the roof to capture solar power, and better use of public buildings.

Healey said: 2The Byker estate is internationally acclaimed for its innovative and community-led design, and I want to see that continue. I would like to thank Professor Roberts and the Task Force for the work they have been doing to find the best way to secure Byker’s future for the local community.

“This announcement is the basis for helping build a new future for Byker. Byker needs a unique vision for a unique place. While there is still a great deal of work to do this plan puts us on the right track, and I’m giving Government backing worth £44 million by writing off the local housing debt. We’ve all made a firm commitment today to work closely with the local community to bring these proposals to life. I want to ensure that tenants play a full part in this process so we can invest together in the best possible future for the residents of Byker.”

Roberts, chair to the Byker Investment Task Force added: “This is a new and very creative approach to secure the future of a highly distinctive estate. A whole range of organisations, residents and local councillors have worked hard to find a new way forward for Byker, and today marks a great opportunity for the people of Byker to guide the future of their estate.”

“A community trust could bring new investment, and bring Ralph Erskine’s original vision for the estate into the 21st century by tackling issues like landscaping, recycling and energy efficiency,” said Pat Ritchie, regional director of the HCA. “Erskine’s vision was all about the community, with distinctive neighbourhoods that could change over time with people’s needs. This proposal could adapt the estate’s environment and protect its heritage in just the way Erskine intended.”