Pilot house to be repaired - NOT demolished.

14 August 2010

Members of the Galleys Bank Pilot Project Steering Group are currently talking to a number of organisations that provide insurance for mortgages. The group are also gathering information from an organisation that provides property appreciation loans - these are loans to undertake home improvements secured on the basis of the value of the home before and after repair works and not repayable until the property is sold.

Information gathering is also taking place to find out how many residents own their home or rent and are interested in repairing their property.

An information day will take place later this year once the best repair option for the pilot house has been found. A drop-in session will take place on or near the estate to share information about the repair options, testing and possible funding options for those interested in repairing their homes.

The date for this information day will be publicised to the residents of Galleys Bank as soon as it is known.

Rumours that the pilot house at 34 Victoria Avenue has been condemned and is to be demolished are not true. The house is to be repaired and brought back into use, residents have been assured by Newcastle Borough Council and RENEW.

Commented Alex Phillips, Housing Market Renewal Officer at the council,
“A full report from the pilot project consultants was presented to the Community Steering Group on July 26th and this has been made available to anyone who wants to see it.

“We posted the final reports on the structural testing and options on the
RENEW website here in order to allay fears and reassure people that we are not planning to demolish the pilot house.”