New homes transform Gateshead site

The doors to three new homes have been officially unlocked on a Gateshead estate.

The Gateshead Housing Company has unveiled the four-bed terraced-houses on High Lanes estate, Heworth, marking the end of a suite of developments.

The £300,000 scheme, which was made possible by support from the Homes and Communities Agency, has brought modern-day living to families with three or more children, with rooms split over three floors and an energy efficient framework.

“These homes have transformed a site that has been empty since a fire around five years ago,” said Brian Peel, head of Area for the Homes and Communities Agency. “With photovoltaic cells on the roof and high-efficiency heating systems, they will help to keep heating bills down and set a new standard for green living in Gateshead.”

The scheme is one a number of projects in the borough to receive funding from the HCA, including the development of new homes at nearby Harlow Green, Kibblesworth and Winlaton.

Councillor Angela Douglas, Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “This is a great moment.

“Demand for family-sized council homes has been increasing for more than two decades now, yet at the same time the number of council-owned homes available to rent has become progressively smaller.
“At last, by building these much-needed family homes, we have been able to reverse that trend and I am truly delighted that we can offer three more families a brighter and more comfortable future in these splendid new homes.”

The Gateshead Housing Company’s chief executive, Bill Fullen, said: “These properties literally build on the previous success of our Decent Homes programme, with less than one in 14 homes now needing work.

“This development complements four other new build projects across the borough, which all bring affordable housing to the people of Gateshead.”

Gateshead Council contributed land and additional financial support for the homes, which were built by Dunelm Property Services.

Over £4 million has been invested on the High Lanes estate and its surrounding areas already, including £1.5 million of Decent Homes work, £2.25 million modernising the structure of ‘Airey’ properties and over £125,000 of estate improvements, including demolishing old garages for an outdoor social space and artwork installation.