Work begins on new social housing project in Byker

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Work has started on the building of 24 new, energy efficient, social rent homes on the Byker estate.

Colleagues from affordable housing developer Karbon Homes, were joined by year two pupils from St Lawrence’s School and Byker ward councillor Nick Hartley for a visit to the site, to see the progress made so far by principal contractor NB Clark.

The development, off Bolam Street on land next to Harbottle Park, will include a mix of 12 one and two-bed level-access bungalows, eight two-bedroom houses, and four two-bedroom Tyneside flats. All the homes will be powered by air source heat pumps, a technology three times more efficient than gas boilers.

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Rob Alstead, Project Manager at Karbon Homes, with Nick Hartley, Byker ward councillor, Ian Cuthbertson, Contracts Manager from NB Clark, Michelle Bell Karbon Homes’ Assistant Director of the Byker Community, Ian Johnson Executive Director of Customer Services for Karbon Homes and Neil Revely, Byker Community Trust committee memberRob Alstead, Project Manager at Karbon Homes, with Nick Hartley, Byker ward councillor, Ian Cuthbertson, Contracts Manager from NB Clark, Michelle Bell Karbon Homes’ Assistant Director of the Byker Community, Ian Johnson Executive Director of Customer Services for Karbon Homes and Neil Revely, Byker Community Trust committee member
Rob Alstead, Project Manager at Karbon Homes, with Nick Hartley, Byker ward councillor, Ian Cuthbertson, Contracts Manager from NB Clark, Michelle Bell Karbon Homes’ Assistant Director of the Byker Community, Ian Johnson Executive Director of Customer Services for Karbon Homes and Neil Revely, Byker Community Trust committee member | Karbon Homes

Michelle Bell, Assistant Director of the Byker Community for Karbon Homes, said: “Bringing much-needed new affordable homes to the estate is something our customers have told us is important to them, so it’s fantastic to see the new homes at Bolam Street making such good progress.

“The development has been designed to provide housing for residents of all ages, from apartments and family homes to level-access bungalows, a type of housing that’s highly sought after by residents who require level access accommodation and want to remain living in the area.

“I look forward to seeing these homes progress over the coming months with residents moving in by early next year.”

The start of these new homes marks an important milestone for Karbon, which owns and manages the 1,800 home Byker estate.

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When the estate transferred from Byker Community Trust to Karbon in 2021, the North East housing association pledged to deliver a number of priorities which residents of the estate said were important to them, including building new homes to meet the needs of existing and future residents.

The site off Bolam Street is the first of four sites which Karbon hopes to develop for affordable housing.

Councillor Nick Hartley, said: "It’s fantastic to see these much-needed homes for social rent taking shape in Byker. This is a good step forward in tackling the housing crisis, and with air source heat pumps, it’s a greener way to provide more affordable heating. I look forward to welcoming new residents and seeing this community develop."

Completion of the homes is expected by January 2026

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