Work has begun to transform two grade II* listed hobby rooms on the iconic Byker Estate in Newcastle.
Karbon Homes was awarded over £98,000 through Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to breathe new life into some of the community spaces in Byker, with the estate being one of 37 heritage sites across England to receive a grant.
The fund is led by Historic England and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The project, led by property maintenance, compliance and refurbishment company CLC, will see a full internal refurbishment of the hobby rooms on St Michael’s Mount and Spires Lane, with works including new external timber windows and doors, plumbing, roller shutters and a full electrical rewire.
Victoria Keen, Place Partnership Strategic Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on the hobby rooms. CLC were selected as they have a great reputation and experience of working on listed buildings. We’re very proud of the estate's heritage and so for us it was important we worked with an organisation that understands this.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the process of refurbishment and of course the end product which will be wo brand new facilities that will no doubt benefit the community for years to come.”
The restoration forms part of Karbon Homes’ Fair Foundations approach to placeshaping, which focuses on delivering projects that help make lasting change and support social growth.
Karbon will work with local partners, who will occupy the spaces and help drive important initiatives within the community. St Michael’s Mount will become an artist studio and Spires Lane will be a community space for Byker residents to access.
Matt Hilton, CLC Group, said: “CLC is extremely proud to be commencing work with Karbon Homes on this prestigious heritage project at Byker Estate. Our specialist conservation teams are skilled at preserving listed and protected buildings of historic importance. We preserve their historical authenticity and carefully modernise them so they can serve as practical and functional spaces for the local community today – and for future generations too. Our strong local presence means we will be strongly supporting our client’s commitment to working with local partners.”
Regional Director North Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said: “The Byker Estate is one of the most important examples of post-war housing design in England – more importantly it is home to so many people. We are pleased to support Karbon Homes in bringing these Grade II* listed hobby rooms back into active use for residents. Through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, Historic England helps protect heritage while ensuring it continues to serve the communities it was created for. Projects like this show how thoughtful repair and new uses can strengthen local pride and create opportunities for residents now and in the future.”
Work on the hobby rooms is expected to be completed towards the end of March.
Work has begun to transform two grade II* listed hobby rooms on the iconic Byker Estate in Newcastle.
Karbon Homes was awarded over £98,000 through Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to breathe new life into some of the community spaces in Byker, with the estate being one of 37 heritage sites across England to receive a grant.
The fund is led by Historic England and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The project, led by property maintenance, compliance and refurbishment company CLC, will see a full internal refurbishment of the hobby rooms on St Michael’s Mount and Spires Lane, with works including new external timber windows and doors, plumbing, roller shutters and a full electrical rewire.
Victoria Keen, Place Partnership Strategic Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on the hobby rooms. CLC were selected as they have a great reputation and experience of working on listed buildings. We’re very proud of the estate's heritage and so for us it was important we worked with an organisation that understands this.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the process of refurbishment and of course the end product which will be wo brand new facilities that will no doubt benefit the community for years to come.”
The restoration forms part of Karbon Homes’ Fair Foundations approach to placeshaping, which focuses on delivering projects that help make lasting change and support social growth.
Karbon will work with local partners, who will occupy the spaces and help drive important initiatives within the community. St Michael’s Mount will become an artist studio and Spires Lane will be a community space for Byker residents to access.
Matt Hilton, CLC Group, said: “CLC is extremely proud to be commencing work with Karbon Homes on this prestigious heritage project at Byker Estate. Our specialist conservation teams are skilled at preserving listed and protected buildings of historic importance. We preserve their historical authenticity and carefully modernise them so they can serve as practical and functional spaces for the local community today – and for future generations too. Our strong local presence means we will be strongly supporting our client’s commitment to working with local partners.”
Regional Director North Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said: “The Byker Estate is one of the most important examples of post-war housing design in England – more importantly it is home to so many people. We are pleased to support Karbon Homes in bringing these Grade II* listed hobby rooms back into active use for residents. Through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, Historic England helps protect heritage while ensuring it continues to serve the communities it was created for. Projects like this show how thoughtful repair and new uses can strengthen local pride and create opportunities for residents now and in the future.”
Work on the hobby rooms is expected to be completed towards the end of March.
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