Gateshead Town Centre contains a considerable amount of social housing and multi-storey flats are a common feature of the town centre skyline.
In terms of Council housing the main type of accommodation in the town centre is in the form of multi-storey flats with 6 blocks in the town centre and a further 9 blocks within a short distance. There is a lack of family housing within the town centre itself with the maisonette blocks at Chandless Estate being the only family accommodation close to the core.
There are however estates in both the public and private sector suitable for families within walking distance of the town centre. In particular there is relatively new popular and good quality Council accommodation on the edge of the large area of older housing in Bensham, which is also home to many families.
There have been problems in recent years concerning demand for multi-storey accommodation but most flats can now be re-let relatively quickly. The whole of the town centre and surrounding area is within the boundary of the Newcastle/Gateshead Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder and this is likely to provide opportunities to deal with market imbalance and provide an improved quality of product. The establishment of The Gateshead Housing Company (an Arms Length Management Organisation) to manage the housing service on behalf of the Council will also provide opportunities for investment and improvement on sustainable stock.
The following summary of the estates in and around the town centre gives an indication of the major housing issues in central Gateshead.
St Cuthberts Court
The 84 flats stand on the edge of the Windmill Hills development which has a mixture of housing for sale and rent. The block itself remains popular with low turnover.
Barns Close
The 98 flats and 98 maisonettes within the 4 blocks on the edge of the town centre remain popular and have benefitted from the work undertaken close by.
Coatsworth Court/Worcester Green
Relatively new properties on the edge of Bensham within easy walking distance of the town centre. Demand is high and these are seen as being of good quality.
Mulgrave Villas
Sheltered flats on the edge of the town centre with limited demand for bedsit properties. Other uses for the facility are being considered.
Regent Court
A large block of flats within the town centre with a significant number of older residents. The flats are served by a concierge service located in nearby Warwick Court.
Warwick Court
Originally built for single working people the block initially contained a number of furnished flats and bedsits. The configuration of some of the flats impacts on demand, which remains only fair.
Monk Abbot and St Mary’s Courts
The westernmost of the three St Mary’s Court blocks is situated within the town centre area behind the High Street and remains relatively popular. The other blocks are on the east side of the A167 flyover and tend to be less popular with a higher turnover of tenants. The voids currently stand at around 6% but in recent years the flats have become an option for potential tenants seeking supported or furnished tenancies. In total the 3 blocks provide 382 units of accommodation.
Chandless Estate
The 172 properties on Chandless Estate provide family housing. The design of the properties means they are not popular but there is an established community and the void rate is relatively low at around 3%.
East Street Flats
The 3 small blocks situated between the High Street and the A107 flyover are poorly situated but remain relatively popular due to the short distance from the main shopping area. The flats benefit from a district heating system and with the exception of ground floor bedsits remain in good demand.
Argyle Estate
This small estate is separated from the town centre and lies on the edge of Sunderland Road. The design of the estate could be better but demand is high and there are currently no vacancies.
