1 to 22 St. Cuthbert's Green

Gordon Ryder and Peter Yates wanted to develop their ideas used at Thorntree Gill in Peterlee. They were appointed in 1962 by Newcastle City Council to design a high profile social housing scheme at North Kenton. They tested the specially developed courtyard house at a small pilot scheme of 22 dwellings at St. Cuthbert's Green. Local residents had opposed the building of a 15 storey tower block here in 1960-61. The design separated pedestrian and vehicular spaces. The houses were arranged around a triangular 'village green'. There were four terraces around a central court. The western block included one-storey kitchen-diners and two-storey living rooms and bedrooms. The northern block contained three-storey terraced houses with integral garages and roof terraces. The southern block was formed of 4 two-storey houses with single-storey kitchens and rear patio. The east terrace was three-bedroomed single-storey courtyard houses, Z-shaped in plan, enclosing a small entrance court and patio. It was an enclosed private development with pedestrian access restricted to residents. A variety of materials, colours and finishes were used. The development resembled Ryder and Yates houses at Peterlee - flat roofs, square shapes, render cladding. It was also similar to Le Corbusier's housing of 1925 at Pessac near Bordeaux, with projecting units and serrated profiles. The development won a Civic Trust Commendation and a Good Design in Housing Medal in 1966. The houses have been heavily remodelled. The flat roofs have been replaced with pitched ones, and the windows have been replaced.