Originally zoned for employment use as well as housing George Wimpey’s innovative proposals for the development of a 27 acre site of a former gasworks persuaded Gateshead MBC to reallocate this brownfield site wholly for residential development. Outline planning permission was given for 684 new homes in 2002, with the final total expected to be up to 800 new homes when the development is completed in 2008. With ID Partnership Northern supported by Hemingway Design the site has been developed to be “a dynamic new concept in housing” avoiding traditional built forms in favour of a much greater variation in elevational concepts and treatments. Most of the two and three bedroom housing has private gardens that back on to south facing communal parkland with play areas for children. Homes are grouped in clusters of 20-24 houses or flats grouped around a pocket park with private defensible space for each unit and shared use of the communal garden in the centre by each group. Based on the Home Zone concept in Holland, pedestrians have priority over cars. As the Housing Design Awards commented: “it may never win some urban design arguments, but is a beacon for how new communities could be helped to bond” Photography: Tim Crocker (07985 751994)
ARCHITECT:
ID Partnership Northern
Address:
St Judes
Barker Street
Shieldfield
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1AS
Tel: 0191 261 4442
Fax: 0191 261 1090
Website: www.idpartnership.com
HOMEBUILDER:
George Wimpey North
Address:
North House
Wessington Way
Sunderland
SR5 3RL
Tel: 0191 516 6400
Fax: 0191 516 5487
Website: www.georgewimpey.co.uk
