Two short terraces of eight houses. 1976-78 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Pale modular metric brick on timber frame, with weatherboarding. Blue metal monopitch roofs with plywood box beam purlins. Two storeys, nos. 11-17 rising in steps, so that no. 17 appears higher; nos. 19-25 stepped back. Pergola and bird box link nos. 17 and 19. To front, the houses are set lower than the road, with yellow metal door hoods, and blue doors. Green weatherboarding save to nos 17 and 19, which have brown weatherboarding; half weatherboarding only to no. 15. Garden elevation with bright green eaves save to no. 17, which has brown, and renewed windows in hardwood. All other windows of timber, in timber sub-frames with aluminium opening lights, many sliding. Prominent brown timber fences between units, with triangular top section. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest. The terraces form a prominent group on the main route through the Chirton area, leading to and from Headlam Green.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Nos. 18-28 Jubilee Terrace, 1-14 Manor House Close, 1-7 Village Place, 1-9 Chirton Wynd. 54 houses set in short linked terraces. 1976-78 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Red modular metric brick to Welbeck Road and Bothnal Street, the edge of the estate, pale modular metric brick within the estate, all on timber frame, with weatherboarding. Blue metal monopitch roofs with plywood box beam purlins. Two storeys, save for no. 9 Manor House Close, which has three, and nos. 10-13 Manor House Close, which are split level.

No. 1 Manor House Close is linked at first-floor level to no. 28 Jubilee Terrace. Nos. 1-8 Manor House Close have bright green high weatherboarded eaves over strip of first floor windows, which are interrupted only by occasional brown panels, all on red brick facade, which features prominent dividing fences with triangular top sections. No. 4 with blue eaves and upvc windows. No. 9 with brown weatherboarding over first floor, enlarged first-floor window serving living room, green door hood, red door and end brown bird box. Rear facade simpler, with blue half weatherboarding to carriageway link to no. 28 Jubilee Terrace, nos. 2-4, 7 and 9. Bird box also links no. 1 with no. 28 Jubilee Terrace. Blue door hoods and good surviving line of red doors.

Nos. 10-13 Manor House are set at right angles, with link via bird box and timber carriage arch to no. 14, which is attached to no. 4 Village Place. This group with nos. 1-9 Manor House Close and 5-7 Village Place enclose a green. Nos. 10-13 are split-level houses, nos. 10-12 of one-two storeys on sloping site, no. 13 of two and three storeys. Bird boxes at each end, and between nos. 12 and 13. Uphill side (looking towards Headlam Green, q.v.) With high eaves of bright green weatherboarding, prominent fences between units with triangular tops. Rear with blue doors, and narrow strips of weatherboarding above adjoining kitchen windows. Timber link formed of heating pipe covers and bird box between nos. 13 and 14. No. 14 and no. 4 Village Place have brick frontage to pedestrian way, with, to square, a band of brown weatherboarding between first-floor windows and red weatherboarded eaves over. Return flank of no. 4 Village Place with green weatherboarding and bird box, blue door hood, and single-storey outshut of brick. Blue fences.

Nos. 5-7 Village Place have blue door hoods to front, and high red eaves weatherboarding to rear, with brown weatherboarding between first-floor strip windows. Nos. 1-3 Village Place are attached to no. 9 Chirton Wynd, and thence via first-floor weatherboarded brick carriage arch to nos. 5 and 7 Chirton Wynd. All these houses have red metal door hoods. Nos. 1-3 Village Place and No. 9 Chirton Wynd have garden elevation of soft green and blue weatherboarding below first-floor sills, a brown weatherboarded band between first-floor strip windows, which continues as struts between units, and bright green weatherboarded eaves. Bird box at either end. Prominent blue fences, and red seat in green outside. Elevation to Chirton Wynd of blue half weatherboarding, with prominent oriel over carriagearch. Rear elevations to nos. 5 and 7 (no. 9 is sideways to road) have brown weatherboarding between first floor strip windows, and end bird boxes, and red eaves with brown struts.

Link via heating pipe covers and bird boxes between nos 5 and 3 Chirton Wynd. No. 3 has soft blue weatherboarded frontage to Chirton Wynd, with brown weatherboarding between first-floor windows and red metal door hood. Garden elevation with brown weatherboarding between windows, blue weatherboarding between them and red eaves.

Nos. 1 Chirton Wynd and 18-28 Jubilee Terrace have red brick to exterior of estate, with pale brick facing inwards. No. 1 with projecting single-storey outshut, under blue metal roof and with blue weatherboarding to gable end. Red metal door hoods and red doors. Garden elevation has red eaves, with brown weatherboarding between first-floor strip windows. Blue weatherboarded band below, with full weatherboarding to nos. 18, 22 and 24; no. 27 entirely weatherboarded in green and with renewed windows. Timber fences between each unit, with triangular tops. Brick end wall to no.1 Chirton Wynd. Outside it a timber pergola with red metal roof.

All windows of timber with timber sub-frames, and aluminium opening lights (mainly sliding) except where noted above. Some doors renewed in hardwood where prominent original groups are not noted. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest.

This is the south-eastern corner of the Chirton neighbourhood, an area of particular complexity and character noted for its intricate coloured weatherboarding, linking arches and use of bird boxes, and for its built-in garden seating and pergolas.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

42 flats and sheltered housing (Chirton House) set around central bowling green with pavilion. 1976-78 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Red modular metric brick to Union Road, with pale brick facing central green, cladding concrete block cross-wall construction and with brown and green balconies supported on precast cantilevers. Blue metal sloping roofs with very deep eaves to square. Two, three and four storeys on prominent high site, the land falling away on all sides suggesting that the green is partly made up ground. Three-sided composition set around bowling green, extending on fourth side to enclose earlier C20 community centre (not included).

Nos. 1-12 form a terrace comprising two storeys of flats set over garages, with upper flats reached off short access galleries reached up staircases boldly expresseed by supporting struts braced by timbers reaching to the eaves. Small raised attic areas over the walkway. Distinctive oriels at rear of brown timber with steeply sloping roofs. Garages project under first-floor (bowling green level) patio. Nos. 14-21 form `L'-shaped block in corner of square linked across one and two-storey carriage arch, of three storeys but with continuous roof because extra storey is set lower into sloping land at rear of square, which maintains its two-storey profile. High timber attic over. Distinctive projecting brown timber oriels under sloping roofs on outward side. On green side, the access gallery continues over the carriageway. Nos. 22-24 occupy a two-storey block on the other side, attached to large steel gates and with old stone flanking wall. Open ground floor to west elevation, with brown and green timber walkway over. Chirton House occupies north side, of two and three storeys, projecting rear three-storey range, and projecting paired windows on exposed concrete cantilevers under sloping blue roofs. To square, projecting brown timber first floor beneath deep eaves supported on timber struts and braces, and with green balconies. Nos. 25-32 of two storeys to green, three behind, with access gallery of brown timber with green balustrades, set under eaves behind timber struts and bracing. Nos. 33-37 and nos. 38-42 are two eyecatching blocks of red brick, with buff brick facing green only, under steeply sloping roofs. Three and four storeys, with brown timber eaves detailing and projecting balconies, and oriel windows and porches under sloping roofs. Nos. 33-37 with linking access gallery forming bridge to nos. 25-32. Nos. 38-42 with prominent access stairs to end, of brown timber with green balustrading on brick base and with plastic sheet roofing.

Windows of timber in timber subframes, with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding. Some original red doors with glazed panel, others renewed in hardwood. Broad projecting four-bay entrance to Chirton House, with double doors at left, and set behind red brick garden wall. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest.

Bowling house in centre of green of exposed timber framing with eternit panels and tiled roof over prominent eaves, set against low stone wall surviving from earlier development. Two small gables to green, with small benches. Green fences to rest of green. Built-in green fences, bin stores and steps a feature of the Headlam Green development. Big brick retaining walls to east of square. This is a real one-off, in a distinctive variant of Erskine's classic brick and bright timber idiom.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.
'The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Perimeter block of flats, continuing the line of Byker Crescent (q.v.). 1972-5 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Stanley Miller Ltd. Orange modular metric brick to Union Road, with pale brick facing estate, and banded end wall, on concrete block crosswalled frame which incorporates precast cantilevers for balconies and access galleries. Flat blue metal roofs. Three storeys, with access galleries incorporating planting boxes reached via stairs on perimeter east face, and balconies with splendid views to west. Brown timber access galleries with red-brown balustrading and plastic sheet roof to upper storeys, forms a two-storey frame on the eastern face of the block, complemented by timber staircase enclosure and blue timber fence and gate. The western elevation with balconies set in vertical pairs, save to flats 18, 29, and 20, and to flats 29, 30 and 31. Windows of timber in timber surrounds, with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding. Red and blue glazed doors to eastern elevation, with red and yellow projecting kitchen ventilators. Some brown doors to garden on west elevation, and timber doors with glazed panel to balconies. Brown fences on this elevation. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest. Brick retaining wall to south an integral part of the composition. To the north pergola or car port, with sheet roofing on blue and brown timber frame, is an integral part of the design.

This forms part of the perimeter Byker 'wall', but faces east rather than north towards the intended motorway, and its very different character reflects its quieter setting. It is attached to Byker Crescent (q.v.) to the north.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Block of seven flats and maisonettes. 1974-6 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Pale modular metric brick on concrete blockwork crosswalling with projecting second floor access gallery of red-brown timber supported on precast cantilevers and sheltered by plastic sheet roofs; blue metal roofs with plywood box beam purlins. `L'-shaped block of three storeys. Maisonettes entered from the ground floor have red metal door hoods, with larger hood over larger entrance to upper units, which is placed on the outer corner; doors mainly renewed in hardwood. Windows of timber in timber subframes with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding. Access gallery with brown timber balustrading and incorporating projecting planting boxes. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest. Green and brown fences to rear of maisonettes.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Complex square and surrounding terraces comprising 38 houses. 1976-79 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Marshalls (Elland) Limited; remedial and remodelling contract 1981-3 under close Arkitektkontor supervision. Two storeys, buff and orange brick with weatherboarding on timber frame; green metal roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins.

Finchale Terrace forms two sides of the perimeter, with buff brick to Raby Street and orange brick to south, with eaves of red and brown/ bright green weatherboarding respectively. Dark blue timber projecting porches to nos. 1-7 under bright green sloping roofs; big porch to no. 9, rest of terrace with bright green metal door hoods. Bird boxes to end of no. 12, and forming link with timber carriage arch between nos. 1 and 2. Rear elevations clad in pale blue weatherboarding, with red doors and dark blue fences. Projecting brick bin store with timber pergola roof incorporates fragments said to be from the former Newcastle Old Town Hall.

No.12 forms a strong visual link with the houses of Glanton Close, a narrow courtyard of houses. No. 2 attached to no. 6 Garmondsway, no. 1 to no. 8 Garmondsway. Green weatherboarding, with projecting brown porches to nos. 4-8, and bird boxes to nos. 1, 8 and 9. No. 1 Harbottle Street with brown weatherboarding.

The houses in Garmondsway have dark brown eaves, with full-height weatherboarding to two faces of no. 8. Projecting oriel to no. 6, with lighter brickwork under. Bird boxes to nos. 8, 10 and 18. Projecting porches to nos. 14 and 16, with green roofs; green metal hoods to rest. Projecting oriel to no. 2 Lilburn Close, which is attached to Garmondsway. The rest of Lilburn Close with bright green eaves and projecting brown weatherboarding and brick porches under green sloping roofs to nos. 6-14. Carriageway to no. 4. Timber windows in timber surrounding with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding, to all houses; timber doors with glazed panel, many renewed in hardwood.

These 38 houses are all that were built of the Janet Street neighbourhood, after the contractors, Marshalls, failed to fulfill their contract, and failed to meet the exacting standards of Erskine's office. In 1981 a remedial contract was let to check the ties between the timber frame and brick cladding of the 28 completed houses, a further 12 were completed, and the remaining 90 uncompleted shells were demolished. The houses are now of the same high standard as the rest of the estate.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Staggered and stepped terrace of eleven houses. 1974-6 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Pale brick and uneven green weatherboarding on timber frames, under shallow double-pitched metal roofs with plywood box beam purlins and red weatherboarded eaves. Two storeys, with sharp bend between nos. 7 and 8, the former with projecting first-floor brown timber balcony in extra bay to left, the latter set back. White vertical struts between first-floor windows and red weatherboarded eaves. Projecting downpipes from the deep eaves a feature of the composition, particularly of nos. 5 and 6. Full-height weatherboarding to nos. 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 11 and rear of no. 9. Blue gables to sides where terrace steps down hill. Doors with glazed panels, some renewed in hardwood. Windows of timber in timber subframes with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding, no. 5 renewed. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest. Granite kerbs to front from streets previously on the site; brown fences between houses and to rear. Forms a major thoroughfare with the terrace on Spires Lane (q.v.)

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Terrace of seventeen houses. 1974-6 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Pale brick and uneven green weatherboarding on timber frames, with some brown weatherboarding, under shallow double-pitched metal roofs with plywood box beam purlins and projecting eaves to garden elevations. Two storeys, with carriageway under no. 9, which has raised attic over this part. Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 16 weatherboarded in brown, with all save no. 5 weatherboarded over first floor only. Nos. 4, 7, 13, 15 and 17 with full-height green weatherboarding. Fronts with red metal door hoods and some red and blue doors with glazed panels, others renewed in hardwood. Windows of timber in timber subframes with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding, nos. 3, 6 and 10 renewed. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest. Granite kerbs to front from streets previously on the site; brown fences between houses and to rear. This and Winship Terrace (q.v.) line the principal thoroughfare through Grace Lee.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives

Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Three short terraces, each of three houses, linked by fences and enclosing a private courtyard. 1974-6 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Pale brick and uneven green weatherboarding on timber frames, with yellow and red weatherboarded eaves, under shallow double-pitched metal roofs with plywood box beam purlins and projecting eaves to garden elevations. Two storeys, all the nos. 1 slightly higher and without the weatherboarding, but with prominent downpipes extending from the projecting eaves. All windows of timber with timber subframes and aluminium opening lights (mainly sliding), save for nos. 2 Winship Garden which have been renewed in upvc. Timber doors with glazed panel, some renewed in hardwood. Interiors not inspected but understood not to be of special interest. Brown fences link the three terraces to form a small semi-private courtyard. Granite kerbs from development formerly on the site to front and rear, notably to frontages of Winship and Fairless Garden abutting Spires Lane. Fixed seating to front and rear a particularly plentiful feature in this part of the estate.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Three short terraces, each of three houses. 1974-6 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor Shepherd Construction Limited. Pale brick and uneven brown weatherboarding on timber frames, with yellow weatherboarded eaves, under shallow double-pitched metal roofs with plywood box beam purlins and projecting eaves to garden elevations. Two storeys, nos 1 Headlam Garden and 1 and 4 Felton Green slightly higher, the others have the brown weatherboarding. Prominent projecting downpipes from the eaves. All windows of timber with timber subframes and aluminium opening lights (mainly sliding), save for nos. 2 and 5 Felton Green which have been renewed in upvc. Nos. 1-3 Headlam Garden with plastic door hoods and red doors. The Felton Green houses have distinctive yellow eaves with white vertical struts between the first-floor windows. Plastic door hoods and seats in front. Retaining wall to side of no. 1 Headlam Garden and brown fences are a feature of the group. Nos. 1-3 Headlam Garden and Nos. 1-3 Felton Green enclose a small courtyard. The uneven strips of the weatherboarding is a distinctive feature of Grace Lee, one of the most attractive of the Byker neighbourhoods.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*