Cruddas Park as seen from Newcastle College, Parsons Building, 2002.
1960s redevelopment
Work first started on these tower blocks in 1961. The area had long been dominated by Armstrong's arms works and Vickers still builds tanks close to the Scotswood Road. During the nineteenth-century rows and rows of closely packed houses filled the banks of the Tyne to house factory workers. By the 1950s these had become run-down residential areas and the housing was considered to be low-amenity slums. The slums were cleared and new flats were built by Wimpey to a Swedish modular design. The tower blocks were named after trees and bushes (eg the Hawthorns and the Willows).
The Cruddas Park housing scheme was part of T. Dan Smith's grand plan for a 'city in the sky'. Smith was from a working-class family in Wallsend and he became a visionary leader of Newcastle City Council. He wanted to make Newcastle a modern city and his vision included urban motorways, a metro public transport system and high profile architecture (all of which Newcastle now has). However, power corrupts and Smith got caught in a web of deceit and he ended up serving six years in jail. It has been alleged Smith took cash and other perks for awarding the Cruddas Park contracts.
Revitalisation
In the late 1980s the it was decided to revitalise the area, which had become the focus of criminal activity. A number of legal evictions took place. New entrances were added to the blocks, entry systems installed and caretakers appointed. The shopping centre was also improved with security shutters, CCTV and security patrols.
Your Homes Newcastle aimed to revamp Cruddas Park for the 21st century. The New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative involves residents closely in making their area a better place to live. Consultation was undertaken on the plans for the ten Cruddas Park tower blocks, which included new kitchens and bathrooms, new low-rise family homes and redeveloping the shopping centre. Work started in the autumn of 2006. Opportunities for residents to buy affordable homes in four of the blocks and a green energy options to help reduce tenants’ fuel bills were proposed at the time (April 2006).
"The six-year scheme will include internal improvements, a striking new look to the blocks and improvements to the surrounding area. The scheme will also bring a better choice in the size of the flats, as well as environmentally friendly measures to protect the environment and keep fuel bills low. Homes in five of the blocks will be made available for sale, whilst the five other blocks and Cruddas Park House will continue to be managed by Your Homes Newcastle." http://www.bridgingng.org.uk/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=65
On April 2nd 2009, with the revamp well under way, the new name for the area 'Riverside Dene' was unveiled by Army abseilers down the side of one of the blocks. A new show flat was on view to prospective tenants. The scheme’s first phase, which includes complete redevelopment of The Hawthorns, The Larches and The Sycamores over a 21-month period, is to cost £31 million. Flats will be made available for rent through Your Homes Newcastle. Private partners in the scheme are Gentoo, Bellway and Wates Living Space and it is expected homes for sale will become available in the later phases.
“It’s by far the biggest revamp since the blocks were built in the 1960s – and we want to show that this is a great place to live,” said David Slater. “The name celebrates the area’s fantastic views and its historical connections with the River Tyne. “The Northumbrian word ‘Dene’ highlights its parkland and green spaces – but also remembers the original Cruddas family, who lived in nearby Dene House. The new name will encourage new residents to make their home here, which will help to support better shops and services for everyone.”
Local resident Hassan Abbas, who has lived in the blocks for five years, welcomed the change: “I think it will be nice to have a new name, if we’re going to get more people to come here to live,” he said. “If anyone wants to come and live here, please do – it’s got tons of green land and the community is really nice here too.” http://www.newcastlendc.co.uk/page/newsroom/news/index.cfm?ArticleId=252
The revamp is part of a wider regeneration of the whole of the West End, with money being spent on landscaping and local shopping areas. Elswick Park and Elswick Pool are being refurbished to provide better community facilities. A new high school Excelsior Academy opened in September 2008, replacing Westgate Community College, and provides a specialist education for 1800 pupils. The Discovery Quarter is an area of change with the development of the new Science Central on the former brewery site.
Useful links