112552 GHC newspaper 28 (+East) - Gateshead Housing Company

Above and below, the Chandless Estate in Gateshead town centre.
Demolition of town centre
estate gets go ahead
Gateshead Council cabinet members have
decided that a town centre housing estate
should be demolished and tenants rehoused
into better quality properties.
The Chandless Estate, built between 1962 and
1963, comprises three multi-storey tower blocks,
twelve maisonette blocks and one block of
bungalows.
Extensive consultation with residents found
almost two thirds of people living there would
like to see the properties demolished rather than
refurbished.
The properties all require extensive investment of
£6m, just to bring them up to government
‘Decent Homes’ standard with some properties
having structural issues, which could also cost
millions of pounds to rectify.
Amongst issues highlighted by consultation was
the inability of the structures to meet residents’
expectations of a modern home and the lack of
good quality family housing.
Gateshead Council cabinet member for housing,
Cllr Angela Douglas, said: “Even if improvements
were made, the properties would still be unlikely
to meet the needs of residents to provide good
quality family housing.
“People will only be moved out of properties
once other homes become available and the
process will be phased to allow us to best meet
the individual needs of residents.”
At May’s meeting, Gateshead Council cabinet
members approved a total expenditure of up to £7.5m
to include the acquisition of properties, resettlement
of Chandless Estate residents and demolition.
Officers from The Gateshead Housing Company
and Gateshead Council will arrange to see all
tenants and residents over the next few months
to support them through the relocation process.
Residents wanting to find out more about the
plans can contact Lynne Dempsey, Estate
Regeneration Officer on 0191 433 5373 or Glen
Thompson, Estate Officer on 0191 433 3239.
February 2010 to April 2010
Making a difference in
Central Gateshead
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Central
• Town Centre
• Sheriff Hill
What do the grades mean?
Gold
• Estate is clean and tidy and
in good condition
• The majority of descriptions
scored ‘Gold’ during the
tour
• There is little evidence of
wider issues affecting the
condition of the estate.
Silver
• Estate is generally clean
and tidy
• The condition of the estate
is average with room for
improvements
• There are some wider
issues affecting the
condition of the estate.
Bronze
• Estate is generally unclean
and untidy
• The majority of descriptions
scored ‘Bronze’ during the
tour
• Thereisevidenceofwider
issues affecting the estate
with a clear need for
improvement.
How great is your estate?
Town Centre and Sheriff Hill For more information contact: 0191 433 2730
Ventnor Crescent
Tuesday 20 July – 11am
Tuesday 26 October – 11am
Claremont
Wednesday 13 October – 2pm
Wednesday 12 January – 2pm
Coatsworth
Wednesday 13 October – 10am
Wednesday 12 January – 10am
Worcester Green
Thursday 26 August – 10am
Thursday 2 December – 10am
Adelaide Court
Tuesday 19 October – 10am
Tuesday 18 January – 10am
Brisbane Court
Tuesday 14 September – 10am
Tuesday 21 December – 10am
Melbourne Court
Tuesday 19 October – 10.30am
Tuesday 18 January – 10.30am
Sydney Court
Tuesday 14 September – 10.15am
Tuesday 21December – 10.15am
Park Court
Tuesday 19 October – 11am
Tuesday 18 January – 11am
Priory Court
Tuesday 19 October – 12pm
Tuesday 18 January – 12pm
Peareth Court
Tuesday 19 October – 10am
Tuesday 18 January – 10am
Regent Court
Thursday 22 July – 11am
Thursday 28 October – 11am
Warwick Court
Thursday 21 October – 11am
Thursday 20 January – 11am
Abbot Court
Tuesday 12 October – 11am
Tuesday 11 January – 11am
Monk Court
Tuesday 12 October – 10am
Tuesday 11 January – 10am
St Mary’s Court
Tuesday 17 August – 10am
Tuesday 23 November – 10am
Chandless
Tuesday 20 July – 10am
Tuesday 24 August – 10am
Sunderland Road
Tuesday 12 October – 10am
Tuesday 11 January – 10am
Newbolt Court
Thursday 2 September – 9.30am
Thursday 9 December – 9.30am
Tennyson Court
Thursday 2 September – 10.15am
Thursday 9 December – 10.15am
St James’ Village
Wednesday 1 September – 10am
Wednesday 8 December – 10am
Argyle Estate
Wednesday 1 September – 11am
Wednesday 8 December – 11am
Abbey Court
Tuesday 24 August – 10am
Tuesday 30 November – 10am
Milvain Close
Tuesday 24 August – 10.30am
Tuesday 23 November – 2pm
Mount Pleasant
Wednesday 13 October – 11am
Wednesday 12 January – 11am
Acquired Property(Shipcote)
Tuesday 19 October – 2pm
Tuesday 18 January – 2pm
To find out more about Estate Tours in your area contact your housing office or visit:
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/estatetours
Marian Court
Thursday 14 October – 2pm
Thursday 13 January – 2pm
St Cuthbert’s Court
Thursday 14 October – 10am
Thursday 13 January – 10am
Fieldhouse
Thursday 7 October – 2pm
Thursday 6 January – 2pm
Deckham
Tuesday 24 August – 11am
Tuesday 30 November – 11am
Sheriff Hill
Tuesday 24 August – 10am
Tuesday 30 November – 10am
Carr Hill
Tuesday 17 August – 10am
Tuesday 23 November – 10am
Blue Quarries
Tuesday 10 August – 10am
Tuesday 16 November – 10am
Florence Avenue
Thursday 12 August – 11am
Thursday 18 November – 11am
Centurion Way
Tuesday 10 August – 10am
Tuesday 16 November – 10am
Bensham Court
Wednesday 28 July – 10.30am
Wednesday 13 October –10.30am
Milvain Close
Tuesday24August–2pm
Tuesday 23 November – 2pm
Mulgrave Villas
Thursday 26 August – 2pm
Thursday 25 November – 2pm

Who’s Who
in Central Gateshead
Central Gateshead (including Sheriff Hill) - 0191 433 2730
Housing Manager
Richard Finlow
Estate Officer
Glen Thompson
Decent Homes Team - 0191 433 5410
Tenant Liaison
Manager
Carole Nicholson
Neighbourhood Relations Officer
Vanda Graham
Senior Tenant
Liaison Officer
John Monaghan
Estate Officer
Sean Hughes
Estate Officer
Rebecca Weightman
Tenant Liaison
Assistant
Jean Laskey
Estate Officer
Joanne Raistrick
Estate Officer
Tracy Wilkinson
Neighbourhood Relations Officer
Laura Bell
Tenant Liaison
Assistant
Lisa Orton
?
Area Housing
Manager
Brett Routledge
Sheltered
Housing
Estate Officer
Central Gateshead
(inc. Sheriff Hill)
Christine Potts
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18
Easy ways
to pay
Did you know you can pay
your rent at over 200
PayPoint locations in
Gateshead and Newcastle
city centre, as well as at all
Post Offices?
All you need to do is take your payment card
and money to anywhere you see the PayPoint
sign including newsagents, supermarkets,
convenience stores and garages.
PayPoint locations in and around
Gateshead town centre
• 8 Till 10 - 101 Coatsworth Road
• Cellar 5 - 172-174 Prince Consort Road
• Costcutter - 201-203 Coatsworth Road
• Deckham News - 286 Old Durham Road
• Deckham Stores - 119 Split Crow Road
• Deckham Supermarket - 322 Old Durham Road
• Ivan's Value Stores - 168 Prince Consort Road
• Jackson Street News - 15 Jackson Street
• J and B News - 212 Durham Road
• Jenny Halls - 4-6 Brinkburn Avenue
• John Cowan Newsagent - 123 Coatsworth Road
• Lychgate News - Lychgate Court
• Metro News - 17 Interchange Centre, West Street
• Saltwell Newsagents - 60 Saltwell Road
• Saltwell Supermarket - Bensham Road, Bensham
• Teams Supersave - 3 Askew Road West
• The Corner Shop - 285 Rawling Road
• Total - Park Road, Felling By Pass
• Wine Bin - 324 Sunderland Road.
Post Office branches
• Carr Hill - 190 Carr Hill Road
• Coatsworth Road - 8 till 10, 101 Coatsworth Road
• Saltwell Road - 66 Saltwell Road
• Town Centre - 307 High Street.
PayPoint locations in and around
Sheriff Hill
• A Sockett and Son - 578 Durham Road
• Carr Hill News - 80 Pottersway
• Charnwood Wine Store - 2 Charnwood Gardens
• Co-op North East - 23 Crowhall Lane
• Co-op United - 64 Beacon Lough Road
• Deckham News - 286 Old Durham Road
• Deckham Stores - 119 Split Crow Road
• Deckham Supermarket - 322 Old Durham Road
• Discount Wine Centre - 18 Crowhall Lane
• Finlays Newsagents - 117 Southend Road
• High Felling Discounts - 1 Richmond Terrace
• J and B News - 212 Durham Road
• Jenny Halls - 4-6 Brinkburn Avenue
• Jet Fuelforce - Sunderland Road, Felling
• Keller Cellar - 145 Balmoral Drive
• Long John Silvers - 3 Boxlaw
• Nisa Local - 26-28 Sheriffs Highway
• Sanghera News - 40 Sheriffs Highway
• Sheriff Hill Store - 9-10 Southend Terrace
• Wine Bin - 324 Sunderland Road.
Post Office branches
• Beacon Lough - 10 Boxlaw, Beacon Lough
• Carr Hill - 190 Carr Hill Road
• Sheriff Hill - 102 Sheriffs Highway.
Fund keeps group grooving
A Gateshead estate will continue to put
their best foot forward, thanks to a
donation from The Gateshead Housing
Company Community Fund.
Argyle Estate Residents Association organises
Friday night activities for younger tenants,
community days and recently a dance project for
all ages.
Left to right, Margaret Walker of Argyle Estate
Resident Association, Nicola Waddle of FHM
and Joanne Raistrick of The Gateshead Housing
Company with cheque. Back, The Argyle Estate
senior dance group practice their routine.
Your estate, your views
The Gateshead Housing Company wants your views on how we could make your estate even better.
One way to do this is to come on an Estate Tour - see page 16 for details of your next tour.
But, if you can't make a tour, you can still give us your views and we will make sure your housing office,
our Neighbourhood Relations Team or other services get to hear about it.
Simply fill in the form below and return it to us - no stamp is needed.
Important: You don't have to give us your name and address - but it will help us to give you feedback if
you do. You must tell us the estate you live on though, to help us look at the issue.
Your name:
Address:
Tel: E-mail:
Or
The estate I live on is:
I think my estate is:
The award of £1,500 from the company's
Community Fund means the group can fund
dance classes for three age groups who range
from two to five years of age, five years and over
and a seniors’ group.
Margaret Walker, Chairperson for the association,
said: "The award from Community Fund has
helped residents of all ages to get out and enjoy
dance, while keeping fit and making friends.”
The Community Fund offers cash and in-kind
awards from £500 to £10,000 to groups that
aim to improve the lives of people in the
borough.
Could a grant help your group?
To find out more about the scheme or to
download an application form, log on to
www.communityfoundation.org.uk,
e-mail general@communityfoundation.org.uk
or call 0191 222 0945.
What is the most important issue you think the company should tackle on your estate?
(Please just tick one - the one you think is most important)
Untidy gardens Youth disorder Cleaning/grounds maintenance
Better lighting Community facilities Other (please specify)
Please give this to any of our employees, drop into your housing office or post to us (no stamp is needed) at
Freepost Plus RRZG-CLYL-XKRU, The Gateshead Housing Company, Keelman House,
Fifth Avenue Business Park, Fifth Avenue, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.

VIP guest for town centre
residents
The outgoing Mayor of
Gateshead was the guest of
honour as the final stage of
£1m of improvements to a
high-rise block were
completed.
Former Mayor, Cllr John Eagle, was
on hand to open the newlyrefurbished
communal lounge at
Bensham Court and get a firsthand
look at other improvements.
Over 120 residents at the block,
which overlooks the Tyne Valley,
had new kitchens, bathrooms and
electrics fitted, as part of the
improvements.
Other improvements to the lounge,
access and surrounding areas were
also carried out at the block, which is only rented
out to over 40s.
Further work saw improvements to the
accessibility of the block, which is set between
Gateshead town centre and Team Valley, and
landscaping of the grassed areas around it.
An unruly tenant in Bensham has been
evicted by The Gateshead Housing Company
after causing distress to those around her.
Gillian Murray, 31, formerly of Marian Court was
evicted by the company after the courts heard a
catalogue of incidents dating
back to January 2009.
Second from left, Cllr Eagle is pictured with Councillor Kevin
Dodds, Roberto Demedio and Michelle Muldoon-Smith of the
housing company, along with residents of Bensham Court.
Cllr Eagle, said: “The £1m plus of work has made
a major difference to the lives of everyone who
lives in Bensham Court.
“I am pleased the housing company worked
so closely with residents, local councillors
and Gateshead Council to literally change
the face of housing forever in the area.”
Company takes action
against Bensham tenant
Marian Court in Bensham.
The incidents included Murray and visitors to her
home:
• Shouting at various times of the day
• Climbing on to wheelie bins to gain access to
the property
• Kicking doors
• Asking neighbours for money
• Leaving rubbish outside her home
• Assaulting neighbours.
Several arrests were made as a result of the
incidents and led to the housing company
working with Gateshead Council and
Northumbria Police to get the court action.
The Gateshead Housing Company’s Chief Executive,
Bill Fullen, said: “We want to help people feel safe
in their homes and neighbourhoods and will not
tolerate the small minority of tenants who cause a
disturbance to others.”
Residents wanting to report anti-social
behaviour should contact their housing office
or call 0191 433 5327, Monday to Friday until
7pm and on Saturdays until noon.
Local information
Housing offices
Your housing office can offer you a range of
services, including advice on rent or to make
payments, neighbourhood nuisance issues
and benefits advice.
In Central Gateshead the housing company
has offices at:
Central office (including Sheriff Hill)
Gateshead Civic Centre, Regent Street,
Gateshead, NE8 1HH
• Monday - 8.45am to 5pm
• Tuesday - 8.45am to 5pm
• Wednesday - 8.45am to 3.45pm
• Thursday - 8.45am to 5pm
• Friday - 8.45am to 4.30pm
Tel: 0191 433 2730
E-mail: centraloffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Decent Homes Team
This team covers Central Gateshead, including the
town centre and Sheriff Hill and works with Frank
Haslam Milan Limited for the improvements.
Tel: 0191 433 5410
E-mail fhm@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Tenant and residents’ groups
Tenant and resident groups are made up of
volunteers from the local community.
Groups encourage residents to get involved with
local issues, with meetings open to everyone.
Tenant and resident groups in your area are at:
Argyle Residents' Association
Margaret Walker 75 Milton Square, Argyle
Estate, Gateshead, NE8 3HJ Tel: 0191 477 7165
Bensham Court Tenants' Association
Brenda Webb 98 Bensham Court, Gateshead,
NE8 1XX Tel: 0775 996 2359
Claremont and Cotfield Tenants'
Association
Jean Garrett 27 Claremont Walk, Bensham,
Gateshead, NE8 1TZ Tel: 0191 490 1386
Claremont Place Residents' Group
Alan Pollock 1 Claremont Place, Bensham,
Gateshead, NE8 1TL
Tel: 0191 490 0543 E-mail:alansp@gmail.com
Deckham Forum Focus Group
Evelyn Brown Gateshead Council,
Gateshead Civic Centre, Gateshead, NE8 1HH
Tel: 0191 433 2415
Marian Court
Marilyn Young 94 Marian Court, Gateshead,
NE8 2JU Tel: 0191 421 1771
Regent Court Tenants' Association
Betty Hoggins 104 Regent Court, Gateshead,
NE8 1HA Contact via Evelyn Brown
Tel: 0191 433 2415
Sheriff Hill Older Persons' Group -
'Golden Oldies' Luncheon Club
Lynda Ainsley 150 Carr Hill Road, Gateshead,
NE9 5LY Tel: 0191 440 4037
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