£350 million Gateshead regeneration progresses to Phase II

114 new homes are to be built across three separate sites in Gateshead, adding to the 309 completed or near completion at Birtley, Deckham and Bensham as part of Phase I.

Three newly announced housing developments are to be sited in Gateshead on Kelvin Grove, Whitehills Drive – on land to the rear of Queen Elizabeth Hospital – and the former Rowlands Gill primary school.

The housing initiative, which will also foster community facilities and public spaces designed to help cultivate sustainable communities, is being delivered by the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP) – a collaboration between Gateshead Council, Galliford Try and Home Group.

Over the coming decade, the partnership will build over 2,000 homes on sites right the way across the borough, delivering a wide range of homes – many of which are bespoke to their development – for private sale, shared ownership and affordable rent.

As was the case during Phase I, more than 25% of the sub-contracting and supply work will be allocated to local business. What’s more, a quarter of all new jobs created will be filled by local residents and there will be several apprenticeship opportunities.

“We are delighted to have been given the go ahead to prepare for the second phase of this project, which is delivering much needed, quality family housing in Gateshead,” said Christine Curran, Development Director for GRP.

“However, this programme is not just about the bricks and mortar. We will continue to work closely with existing and newly emerging communities to help build a sustainable long term legacy of employment, local economic activity and cultural opportunities that will reinvigorate neighbourhoods and help to reverse the trend of people moving away from the borough.”

According to Councillor Malcolm Brain, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council: “We want Gateshead to be a place where everyone thrives. We are committed to putting people and families at the heart of everything we do; working with our partners to provide high quality housing and to invest in our economy to provide opportunities for employment. This project is a perfect example of how we make that vision a reality.”

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