Member Article

Accolades roll in for The Rise

A housing development in a famous area of west Newcastle has won a regional design award.

The Rise in Scotswood is the Residential category winner at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North East Renaissance Awards. It was also short listed in the Regeneration section.

RICS judges said: “This very attractive and comprehensive residential led regeneration scheme is transforming an area of Newcastle which has been presented with socio economic challenges over many decades.

“The master planning, infrastructure and public consultation have set the foundations for a development of regional significance which is proving to be a great success. The seamless teamworking of the developing partners and the local community is testament to the results that can be achieved by true collaboration.”

In June the development is one of just seven entries from which the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) will select its national 2015 Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing Award.

And this week it was declared to be ‘Outstanding’ in the North East Design Review and Enabling Services’ Building for Life assessment.

The £265 million development on the banks of the River Tyne is the product of a public/private joint venture – the New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC). It comprises Newcastle City Council and developers Barratt Homes and Keepmoat. The architect and town planning consultant is the ID Partnership’s Newcastle practice.

Construction began almost two years ago and so far 116 of the 133 homes released have been bought – around 80% to people living within ten miles - almost two thirds of whom (64%) are 30 or under. Buyers cited design, value for money and location as the main reasons for purchasing.

The development is being integrated into the existing community through the enhancement of existing public spaces, the creation of new ones, an improved road network and the development of new retail and community facilities.

Eventually The Rise will be a diverse, sustainable community of around 6,000 people living in approximately 1,800 well designed, modern, energy efficient homes – supplied by a district heating system.

Claire Scott, Communities and Marketing Manager with NTWDC said: “This is fantastic news. To win the recognition and approval of such a respected professional body shows the level of care which was taken in the planning of the project.

“This is now being reflected in the quality of the development which we are creating here. It has already proved extremely popular with local buyers and won praise from the existing community.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .