MORE HOMES FOR FAWDON

In November the City Council's development control committee approved Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)'s proposal for 19 homes for young families on the former Star Centre site (Kenton Road/Jubilee Road).

Many residents were unhappy about the development but not everyone had been given the correct information about the proposal. Assurances have been given about how the development will be managed.

Your Lib Dem councillors have proposed that a steering committee of YHN, councillors and residents should be set up to oversee the construction and operation of the development. For more information see: www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk/pages/fawdon.html

Plans are also being drawn up for a small development on the site of the old council depot at Afton Way, off Hillsview Avenue, North Kenton.

This will be for five bungalows to be let by YHN, similar to the recent new developments at Apsley Court in North Kenton and Souter Court, Coxlodge.

There's also better news about the former Hillsview School site at Redland Avenue/Carsdale Road. Discussions with Yuills have reopened after an 18 month gap, and there is a possibility that the first phase of the 150 home development could get under way in the spring.

Meanwhile, since 2005, 1200 homes in our ward in Fawdon, North Kenton and Coxlodge have been modernised with new doors and windows, and 700 have benefited from internal modernisation.

"This investment programme in new and modernised homes is the biggest for decades, and YHN, which is a three star (top) rated organisation has done a good job in partnership with the council," said Newcastle campaigner Ron Beadle, pictured here with Councillors David Faulkner and Brenda Hindmarsh.