Byker Community Trust (BCT), part of Karbon Homes, has successfully converted three commercial units on the Estate into four modern, affordable homes.

71 Dunn Terrace, 66 Northumberland Terrace and the former district heating office on Raby Street have been converted into four one-bedroom, accessible homes with wet rooms.

This follows similar conversions of Erskine House and some of the hobby rooms on the iconic Byker Wall Estate and will help meet the high demand for much-needed one bedroomed ground floor accessible accommodation.

The three former commercial units stood empty and were visually unappealing with metal shutters to the windows and entrance doors. There was also a risk that as the buildings remained empty, they would attract unwanted attention and anti-social behaviour.

BCT carried out a full feasibility study of empty buildings on the Estate to establish their condition and identify options to make best use of the buildings to meet the needs of the local community.

These former commercial units were no longer required for their previous purpose and BCT agreed to invest further into the Estate by converting these buildings into modern affordable new homes for local people.

Michelle Bell, Assistant Director – Byker Community, said: “As part of the consultation on the transfer of engagements from BCT to Karbon, we asked customers what was important to them. They told us they wanted new homes to match the changing demographic needs of their community.

“Together, BCT and Karbon created a Community Pledge to deliver what customers told us they wanted. Increasing the availability of accessible accommodation positively contributes to the longer-term sustainability of the Estate.

“It’s fantastic to see these units being brought back into use and provide much needed affordable homes that our customers have asked for. They offer the opportunity for residents of Byker to remain within their own community, something that was very much part of architect Ralph Erskine’s vision when he built the Byker Estate between 1969 and 1983.”

The contractor for the works was AJ Bennett and RNJ Partnership were the consultants. The cost to convert the units was £316K and BCT received £90K grant funding from Homes England.

Customers are expected to move into the new homes this month.