FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
The BNG Area
01. What is Bridging NewcastleGateshead?
Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG) is a Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder set up by the Government in the north and midlands to tackle low demand and abandoned housing. BNG aims to create great places to live, improving housing quality and choice.
Each pathfinder is a partnership of organisations from the public, private and voluntary sector.
02. Why has NewcastleGateshead been chosen?
Research by the University of Birmingham (CURS) and analysis by the Department for Communities and Local Government of the sub-regions, highlighted where problems of low demand and abandonment were worst.
The CURS study highlighted that 57,000 properties in NewcastleGateshead are ‘at risk’ of low and changing demand.
03. What area do you cover?
Bridging NewcastleGateshead covers an area of around 77,000 properties and 160,000 people. We work in all or parts of the following wards:
Newcastle: Walkergate, Byker, Walker, Elswick, Benwell & Scotswood, Fenham, Blakelaw, Kenton, Fawdon, Wingrove, Westgate and South Heaton.
Gateshead: Bridges, Deckham, Dunston & Teams, Felling, Lobley Hill & Bensham, Saltwell, Pelaw & Heworth, Windy Nook & Whitehills, High Fell.
04. What are you doing about engaging with local residents?
Community engagement is key to the success of our programme. We have developed a Commitment to Community Engagement which clearly outlines how we will involve residents in our work. At a local-level, the projects, such as Walker Riverside and Byker Design Project, have developed individual community engagement plans which make sure that residents are involved in the work.
Residents can get involved in the work of BNG in a number of different ways, for example, by attending events, responding to surveys or dropping into information centres. This list however is not extensive and there is a wide array of opportunities for residents to get involved in the programme, the type of opportunities available will depend on the area in which you live.
05. How do you decide where work is carried out?
BNG operates as a partnership with the Local Authorities in Newcastle and Gateshead as well as other regeneration agencies in the area to determine how investment can be used to make the BNG area the best it can be for the people that live there.
Plans are then developed hand in hand with people that live in areas affected by BNG to develop a long term plan for the activity that is needed in an area. These are then considered against evidence collected by BNG and decisions made about where investment will be best used.
06. What support will I get if my home is set to be demolished?
Where demolition occurs we are working to support the community through the change. This will include, where practical, building new homes before demolishing areas so residents will be able to stay in the area. Each resident living in a property within a demolition area will be contacted individually and supported fully throughout the process.
07. What will you have achieved by 2018?
Between 2003 and 2018, and subject to funding, it is anticipated that we will have:
• Improved nearly 11,500 sustainable homes
• Worked with builders to develop around 7,000 new homes
• Demolished up to 3,000 obsolete houses, having successfully rehoused people to their home of choice
• Increased the population to almost 175,500.
If you need further information, you can ring 0191 277 2666
or email us