GATESHEAD RESIDENTS COMMENT ON FUTURE HOUSING
The skills of the Gateshead Urban Design Reference Group were called into action for a design open day in January.
The group, made up of residents trained in the principles of good urban design, and residents working with the Birtley Community Partnership, were asked to look at the housing design proposals of four companies bidding to be the council's joint venture partner.
Residents looked at everything from house design to public space on three test sites. They also gave views on how far the designs meet the needs of Gateshead's communities. Gateshead councillors and stakeholders from Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG), the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and city development company, 1NG Ltd, provided their views as well.
The open day was part of the process to find a company to work with the council in building 2,500 new family homes on 19 sites across the borough over the next 15-20 years.
The council will choose its preferred partner later this year and start working on actual plans for each site shortly afterwards. All residents will get the chance to give views on these proposals as development plans are produced.
January 22, 2010 11:38