Gateshead Council have announced the GQ2 project continuing the development of Gateshead Quays between the Baltic and the Sage. Much to welcome on the official website including bars resturants and public facilities.
With a new development on an empty brown field site there will be plenty of space for Gateshead Council to have the vision of more "family homes". According to the council lack of family homes and too many flats are causing Saltwell and Bensham to be come undesirable and in need of mass demolition to resolve the problems.
With the lack of family homes in Gateshead causing so much of a problem the new development will consist of "a mix of 324 homes and apartments".
Note that "family homes" aren't mentioned just homes. In Saltwell and Bensham the implication is the area lacks 4 and 5 bedroom properties since many of the Tyneside flats are 3 bedroom properties.
With apartments on the quayside area starting at £200,000 few residents of Saltwell and Bensham will be in the market for property at more than 10 times the average Tyneside salary. All the more reason to maintain a diverse market in price range and allow people the chance to buy their first home in Saltwell and Bensham. After demolition the choice for most residents will be to leave the area completely as it becomes part of Gateshead Council's luxury price strategy.
Link: Gateshead Quays Website
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
From our last meeting
Our last meeting at Kelvin Grove School was well attended local residents despite the rain.
Chairman Tony Bone opened the meeting by reading an exchange of letters between the association and Council Leader Mick Henry. In particular the letter from the association advised the council of the Liverpool cour case that prevented demolition going ahead.
The main point of this meeting was to hear about the experiences of local people since the decision to demolish their homes was taken. Groups of 5 were formed to hear from residents what was going on in their area.
Many concerns were raised. Some of them were;
* The failure of the council to keep the residents informed.
* The difference between official documents that gave dates for demolition and the "unofficial" uncertainty expressed by council officers off the record on the phone
* Residents were told that there was no more money in this financial year
* Suggestions by council officials that the phase two scheme, dated 2008, may not result in demolition for up to 5 years
* Uncertainty by residents whether they should do home improvements or whether it was a waste of time.
One resident spoke up and said that a neighbour had been offered £30,000 less for his flat than a similar one sold before the demolition threat.
Several residents were concerned that the council phrase that there was a need for "family homes" was merely a coded phrase for selling the land to the local Jewish community.
People were also shocked that their local councillors didn't seem interested in representing their views.
Bringing back the meeting to a plenary session one resident suggested that we needed a legal opinion to see if residents could defeat the demolition proposals in court. Over £1,000 was initially pledged to set-up a legal fighting fund. Two residents on benefit stepped forward to say that they were prepared to be used as part of a test case. Benefit is key so that legal aid can be claimed.
The meeting ended after an hour on an optomistic note with a clear plan of action.
Chairman Tony Bone opened the meeting by reading an exchange of letters between the association and Council Leader Mick Henry. In particular the letter from the association advised the council of the Liverpool cour case that prevented demolition going ahead.
The main point of this meeting was to hear about the experiences of local people since the decision to demolish their homes was taken. Groups of 5 were formed to hear from residents what was going on in their area.
Many concerns were raised. Some of them were;
* The failure of the council to keep the residents informed.
* The difference between official documents that gave dates for demolition and the "unofficial" uncertainty expressed by council officers off the record on the phone
* Residents were told that there was no more money in this financial year
* Suggestions by council officials that the phase two scheme, dated 2008, may not result in demolition for up to 5 years
* Uncertainty by residents whether they should do home improvements or whether it was a waste of time.
One resident spoke up and said that a neighbour had been offered £30,000 less for his flat than a similar one sold before the demolition threat.
Several residents were concerned that the council phrase that there was a need for "family homes" was merely a coded phrase for selling the land to the local Jewish community.
People were also shocked that their local councillors didn't seem interested in representing their views.
Bringing back the meeting to a plenary session one resident suggested that we needed a legal opinion to see if residents could defeat the demolition proposals in court. Over £1,000 was initially pledged to set-up a legal fighting fund. Two residents on benefit stepped forward to say that they were prepared to be used as part of a test case. Benefit is key so that legal aid can be claimed.
The meeting ended after an hour on an optomistic note with a clear plan of action.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Conservatives come down against demolition
The new look Conservative Party this week published its plan for the cities. In a policy taskforce led by Lord Hestletine the Conservatives have come out in favour of renovation plans rather than demolition as the solution to inner city housing.
Nancy Bone, Secretary of Saltwell and Bensham Residents Association, was asked to react to this new policy position by the media. Speaking to the Newcastle Journal Mrs Bone emphasised that the Residents Association was not a party political organisation but she gave credit to the Conservatives for joining the mainstream of thinking in urban regeneration.
Mrs Bone stressed that pathfinder itself had been made obsolete in many areas by the Labour Government's economic success and other policies. She stated that the minimum wage had raised salaries in many inner city areas causing a knock on effect in the housing market. Saltwell and Bensham has trebled its house prices in recent years. The vibrant state of the market was now making it almost too expensive for councils to buy properties just to demolish.
Nancy Bone, Secretary of Saltwell and Bensham Residents Association, was asked to react to this new policy position by the media. Speaking to the Newcastle Journal Mrs Bone emphasised that the Residents Association was not a party political organisation but she gave credit to the Conservatives for joining the mainstream of thinking in urban regeneration.
Mrs Bone stressed that pathfinder itself had been made obsolete in many areas by the Labour Government's economic success and other policies. She stated that the minimum wage had raised salaries in many inner city areas causing a knock on effect in the housing market. Saltwell and Bensham has trebled its house prices in recent years. The vibrant state of the market was now making it almost too expensive for councils to buy properties just to demolish.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Next Meeting: Wednesday 11th October 2006
On Wednesday 11th October 2006 there will be a public meeting at Kelvin Grove School at 7pm.
The main focus will be to highlight the current developments in the streets threatened with demolition and to talk to residents about the Liverpool court case which has stopped the demolition process.
Also. If a man from the council offers you far less than your property is worth you dont have to sell no matter how many times a day they phone you!
The main focus will be to highlight the current developments in the streets threatened with demolition and to talk to residents about the Liverpool court case which has stopped the demolition process.
Also. If a man from the council offers you far less than your property is worth you dont have to sell no matter how many times a day they phone you!
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