What is it all about?
North Central is an area of Newcastle that covers Blakelaw, Cowgate, Kenton Bar and North Kenton. The map below shows the boundary in red.
This boundary has been defined by Bridging NewcastleGateshead which is one of nine Housing Market Renewal pathfinders set up by the Government to tackle problems caused by low demand and abandoned housing and the effect it has on local communities.
The Council wants to know residents’ views with the aim of producing a plan that will improve a wide range of subjects, such as:-
The Council decided the best way to do this was to appoint an independent external consultant. As a result Lambert Smith Hampton are working on an overarching plan for regenerating the North Central area with the aim of improving the lives of people living in the area.
By working with the community, Your Homes Newcastle, Northumbria Police and many others, the North Central Plan will help us to achieve:-
Good quality housing for sale and to rent
Access to good education and health facilities
A safe secure environment
Better access to jobs and training opportunities
High quality open space, children’s and youth facilities
Access to local shops and leisure facilities
Community involvement in managing housing, parks and local facilities
What has happened so far?
The first and second stages of the consultation process have now taken place.
During the first round of events the consultants asked people what they liked or didn’t like about where they lived. They also asked people for ideas about how they thought we could improve their area.
During the second round of events the consultants put up displays with ideas for each area based on what people had told them to date. Visitors to the events put stickers on the boards to show what they did or didn’t like and extra space was available for people who wished to make specific comments.
So far people have told us they want us to:-
Improve the shops
Make more use of the parks and green spaces
Provide young people with more things to do
Better access to public transport
New housing for rent or for sale
Safer streets
Better maintenance of public spaces.
Everyone who attended one of the consultation events was asked to sign in to be entered into a free prize draw. Congratulations to the lucky winners who were:-
26” flat screen television
Alex from Cowgate
(picture to the left)
Dawn from Cowgate
And, £25.00 Eldon Square Vouchers to…….
Blakelaw - A Chapman
Cowgate - Julie Charlton
Kenton Bar – Valerie Schollar and Sarah Hayles
North Kenton – Jane Wray
What happens next?
When the North Central Regeneration Plan has been completed by the consultants we will hold further consultation events to look at what the plan hopes to achieve. Further details on the events will be circulated soon.
For further information please contact Julie Bhabra on 0191 211 5640 or E-mail : julie.bhabra@newcastle.gov.uk.