Empty Houses

Sunderland Road was one of the earliest areas of Gateshead to get the demolition treatment. Rather than renovate houses were pulled down. Many residents lost out. Unable to re-mortgage through a variety of circumstances and having received less than the market value of their homes they ended up in rented property. Once the capital ran out they had to survive on benefits. Effectively moving people from self-sufficiency in the their own home to state dependency in one sweep.

The development at Sunderland Road has stopped. The credit crunch plus prices that start at six times average salary for Tyneside mean that these 2 and 3 bedroom "family homes" are been left empty. They replace 2 or 3 bedroom affordable terraced housing whose only problem was that it had been standing there for 100 years.

One of excuses for re-development was to reduce empty homes and offer more choice. Unfortunately the number of empty homes has increased due to developers building unaffordable property. Choice has been starkly reduced as the affordable terrace housing that people used to make their first rung on the housing ladder has now been removed.

If Gateshead Council wants to make things better it just doesn't seem to be working out that way. People really dont want a semi with a garden the size of a postage stamp if it means that the price is 6 times their income. That is why high density terrace housing in inner city areas is often the first affordable option.

Ceasefire In Gateshead

The streets are quiet from the rumble of heavy vehicles demolishing homes and the men have retreated. Not a news item about Georgia but the current situation in Armstrong Street. One family remains resident and is not about to move.

We are told that the demolition crews are returning in September.

Meanwhile on Sunderland Road the developers have stopped because there no customers for their "family homes". The cheapest is a two bedroomed house at £139,000. However in a wheeze to generate sales and pretend there is a discount involved the developer will lend you £20,000 + so you can have a sizeable deposit. This is over ten years at 0%. The great part is that it is secured on your home so if you stop being able to pay your loan then the developer can repossess you home as well as the banks.

It's a great deal for the banks.

Equal Opportunities In Gateshead

Ruby lives with her mum, dad and baby brother in the last remaining occupied home in Armstrong Street. Around three quarters of the street has been demolished and half has been grassed over by the planning experts at Gateshead Council.

Ruby's brother, despite being a young child, has been in the firing line of clouds of lime dust produced by the demolition. The only protection for Ruby, her family and other members of the public is a thin wire fence.






This photo was taken in Ruby's street. The two large skips in the background are marked "asbestos only" and "flammable". Not the sort of thing you would want some 50 metres from your front door. The demolition site is regularly raided by criminals at night looking for scrap metal and any valuables.

We found out about Ruby's worries from her friends at nursery school. Demolition and children's fears are now being discussed among the under-5s in Saltwell and Bensham.

One thing Gateshead Council can't be criticised for is it's equality policy. It demolishes the homes of the poor, old, disabled and pre-school children with equal neglect of their health and safety.