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Issue Date: 14 Nov 2007
Byker, Ouseburn, Arthur’s Hill and Saltwell revealed as creative hotspots in NewcastleGateshead
Byker, Ouseburn, Arthur’s Hill and Saltwell are some of the neighbourhoods of choice for people working in the creative and cultural industries in NewcastleGateshead, a new study has revealed.
The study, which was commissioned by the housing market renewal pathfinder Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG), looked at the role of the creative and cultural sector in the local housing market.
The findings of the research revealed that there is a buoyant creative and cultural sector in the North East, numbering nearly 3,000 businesses and more than 26,000 people. There are also opportunities for BNG to encourage more ‘creative’ people to live in its area which covers around 77,000 properties and includes Scotswood, Walker, Bensham and Felling.
This sector’s preferred places to live within the BNG area are Byker, made attractive by its affordability, individuality and accessibility to the Ouseburn; Arthur’s Hill because of its’ rich, diverse, cultural and ethnic mix, and Saltwell due to its unique townscape and heritage.
The study also discovered more about the housing choices of creative and cultural practitioners, revealing that nearly half of those surveyed would consider living in a live-work scheme, and more live-work accommodation is needed in NewcastleGateshead.
Karen Anderson, Head of Research and Strategy with BNG said: “The creative and cultural sector can play an important role in urban regeneration, acting as a catalyst or residential pioneers by moving into an area, encouraging others to follow suit.
“Whilst the information is predominantly relevant to our area of operation, it also provides an overview of many of the issues facing regeneration in general.”
“Thus it is necessary to understand their housing needs and choices so that we and our partners can deliver homes and workspace they need in areas they want to live in.
Based on the study, BNG and its partners will seek to develop housing solutions that encourage these and other creative ‘pioneers’ to live and work in the areas. Projects will be developed to link Ouseburn eastwards with Byker to generate demand for housing and live-work. In Newcastle’s West End, there will be increased involvement of the sector in the Scotswood Expo’s cultural programme. Over in Gateshead, the ‘cultural axis’ running from the Gateshead quays to Saltwell Park will be developed.
For a copy of the study or more information, email info@bridgingng.org.uk or telephone 0191 277 2666.