Newcastle’s Byker Estate set for £11m overhaul

Newcastle’s iconic Byker Estate is to receive an £11m overhaul from Byker Community Trust (BCT), part of Karbon Homes, as part of a major external neighbourhood improvement programme.Waste management, safe play and open spaces, improved fencing, and landscaping across are some of the areas BCT will renovate between now and 2029, following a consultation with residents.Some of these improvements are set to get underway this summer.BCT worked with JDDK Architects to consult with customers and developed a master plan for the area, which includes proposals that are affordable, meet investment priorities, and delivered in line with the estate’s Grade II* listing.Representatives from Historic England and conservation and planning officers from Newcastle City Council have also been involved in the process.As part of the delivery plans, the estate has been separated into 11 distinct neighbourhood areas for the implementation of the works.The investment is part of Karbon’s Community Pledge to BCT as part of the transfer of engagements in April 2021.Dunn Terrace and Headlam Green are the first two areas on the estate to see improvements; consultation with customers began this week on the installation of new communal bin stores and recycling facilities.Michelle Bell, assistant director of Byker Community at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s great to see the delivery of these improvements get underway.“Customers living in Byker told us their main priority was waste management, so we’re tackling this first, and we’ll use these as pilots, gathering feedback from our customers living in these areas, before rolling out waste-management improvements across the estate.“Dunn Terrance will also be the first neighbourhood to benefit from other improvements including increased play provision for children and young people, fencing replacement, and tree management.“We’ve invited all customers living in this area to give us their views and feedback on the proposed designs for their neighbourhood.”The Byker Neighbourhood External Improvement programme is part of Karbon’s refreshed approach to placeshaping, as outlined in its recently launched Fair Foundations report.Byker is a pilot Karbon Impact Area, where the organisation will work in partnership with local residents, local government, health, education, community organisations, and major employers to develop a ground up place-based approach that aims to deliver long-term growth and prosperity for the area.Image: CGI showing what the external neighbourhood improvements at Dunn Terrace on the Byker Estate could look like. Credit: JDDK ArchitectsRead next: Housing provider gets green light for ‘historic’ 8,500-home Harlow schemeAre you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.