Newcastle plans to make its West End a ‘housing showcase’

The West End of Newcastle is set to be transformed into a showcase of urban design and a visitor attraction under a new regeneration scheme.

Newcastle council unveiled its vision for the area, which has seen large-scale demolitions in recent years, in a report that went before the council’s executive on Wednesday.

The scheme replaces the previous Labour council’s Going for Growth strategy, which was reviled by many residents because of a perceived lack of consultation over renewal.

Under the new proposal, 300 homes will be constructed and 150 more will be refurbished by 2008 in the Scotswood district of the city.

The area will then be opened to the public for six months before the housing is sold on the open market or rented as social housing. Councillor Greg Stone, executive member for development and regeneration, said the scheme mirrored a similar project in Malmö, Sweden.

He said: “It is very much focused on quality design. In Malmö they have created a whole new community. They developed a housing expo there that was like a visitor attraction and was open for six months. It was a showcase for 21st-century housing.

“We want to see if we can replicate the concept in the UK. We have the land with the demolition that has gone on. We have a blank canvas, if you like.”

A feasibility study persuaded the council that the project was financially viable and it is now in talks with developers.

It is expected that the project will be financed by a mix of public and private funding, including cash from central government, the European Union and the housing market renewal pathfinder, Bridging Newcastle Gateshead.

Stone added: “It fits in with the whole pathfinder approach to the city as well. It is something we hope will be successful in transforming this neighbourhood.”

Jo Boaden, director of Bridging Newcastle Gateshead, said: “We are very keen to work with Newcastle council on this.

“This will be a very positive thing for the West End.”

The regeneration report also included proposals to create the largest inner-city regeneration scheme in the UK – called the Discovery Quarter – on the western fringe of the city towards Elswick. The scheme would include 2500 homes and an office, commercial and retail quarter.