Thumbs up for Byker estate community trust plan

Residents of Byker have given a clear thumbs-up to plans for the iconic Newcastle estate to be put into community control.

Some 64.3 per cent of tenants voted ‘yes’ to transferring their homes to a new Community Trust, under proposals developed with support from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The plans could unlock a potential £70million investment for the world-famous estate.

The plan, which was backed by Housing Minister Grant Shapps on a visit to the area in March, would see the Grade II* listed estate transferred to a not-for-profit trust.

The results – with a turnout of over 44 per cent - were announced by Newcastle City Council’s chief executive Barry Rowland at a gathering of key partners and tenants at Byker’s Priory Green.

He said: “We have always believed that setting up the trust was the best way forward for local people, giving them greater control over what happens on their estate and the means to improve it.

“Now local people have spoken and it’s great news for tenants, the wider community and future generations.

“As well as enabling a wide range of physical improvements, the investment will protect a Grade II* listed heritage asset, one of a small number of social housing estates with that status in the country.

“I would like to thank council staff and Your Homes Newcastle for all their hard work. Above all I would like to thank the tenants who campaigned, took part in consultations and made a historic decision at the ballot box.”

A board made up of tenants, independent members and representatives of Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle will now be set up to run the estate, taking the lead on key decisions about how and where investment should be made.

Housing minister Grant Shapps said: “I am pleased that after years of campaigning Byker residents will finally be able to take control of their iconic estate. I would like to pay tribute to the local community, Newcastle City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency for making this happen.”

HCA chief executive Pat Ritchie commented: “Congratulations to the people of Byker on what is a unique solution for a unique place. The original Byker vision was for a community that evolves over time as people’s needs change – now we have a chance for local people to take that vision into the future.”

The proposals were developed by the Byker Task Force, which was chaired by the HCA’s Professor Peter Roberts: "I am delighted that the people of Byker have agreed to support the creation of the Byker Community Trust,” said Professor Roberts. “This positive endorsement of the proposal to create a trust will help to safeguard this very special community and will also assist in securing the wider social and economic regeneration of the area.

“Our task is now to create the Trust and finalise the development programme. We expect to launch the Byker Community Trust in early 2012. Thanks are due to everyone who has contributed to this magnificent victory for the Byker community.”

The new trust will draw on support from Your Homes Newcastle, whose chief executive John Lee commented: “We were keen for tenants to be involved in the decision on the future of the estate and we’re delighted that they’ve voted in favour of the trust.

“It’s a huge and very exciting step for the estate and my thanks go out to everyone who has been involved in making it happen. Tenants will be at the very heart of the trust.”