Cruddas Park / Riverside Dene - Redevelopment | Newcastle | Various | U/C

[Adrian_Swall]

Further pictures from today with two smaller machines now bringing it to ground.

[Adrian_Swall]

The Poplars now no more.



One down, four to go.

Assume The Beeches will be next?



You can make out The Rocket in the background which is reducing slowly.

[merleb]

Anyone know what they are doing with all the rubble?

Landfill, construction sites or out to sea?

[bigchrisfgb]

Originally Posted by merleb

Anyone know what they are doing with all the rubble?

Landfill, construction sites or out to sea?

What rubble? In the West End they call that a play ground.

Anyway don't they now crush it down into pieces and compress them into new bricks or cement mix?

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by bigchrisfgb

What rubble? In the West End they call that a play ground.

Hey Chris, you may be right there!!

When I was growing up in Crown Street in Elswick (for a couple of years) there was lots of demolition going on in South Elswick and Scotswood, of some of the old streets.

The demolished sites (they weren't fenced off) were where we played ALL the time!

There was so much old wood around (as well as brick and stone etc) that for two years running we had the most FANTASTIC bonfires in our back lane on November 5th, I remember dragging stuff up from Scotswood on the back of my 'Bogey' (remember them?) and one year we nearly set the street on fire the flames from our bonfire were so high!

A little bit off-topic, but a nice little bit of 'West End social history' . . .

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by bigchrisfgb

What rubble? In the West End they call that a play ground.

Anyway don't they now crush it down into pieces and compress them into new bricks or cement mix?

Yes, the Planning Application form indicates that the rubble will be recycled - http://publicaccess.newcastle.gov.uk...=LGB0E5BSAP000

[battlefieldjohn]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Hey Chris, you may be right there!!

When I was growing up in Crown Street in Elswick (for a couple of years) there was lots of demolition going on in South Elswick and Scotswood, of some of the old streets.

The demolished sites (they weren't fenced off) were where we played ALL the time!

There was so much old wood around (as well as brick and stone etc) that for two years running we had the most FANTASTIC bonfires in our back lane on November 5th, I remember dragging stuff up from Scotswood on the back of my 'Bogey' (remember them?) and one year we nearly set the street on fire the flames from our bonfire were so high!

A little bit off-topic, but a nice little bit of 'West End social history' . . .

Kids were much more free a few years ago, I really think we have lost most of that which is a shame, they simply would not be allowed to do that now.

[kieron79]

Originally Posted by battlefieldjohn

Kids were much more free a few years ago, I really think we have lost most of that which is a shame, they simply would not be allowed to do that now.

I hear what you are saying but the thought of a group of kids setting a huge bonfire outside my house and potentially razing it to the ground does not really fill me with joy

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by kieron79

I hear what you are saying but the thought of a group of kids setting a huge bonfire outside my house and potentially razing it to the ground does not really fill me with joy

Yes, there were large bonfires up and down all the back lanes, but I remember thinking ours was the best!

Of course, everything was always done under complete and massive adult supervision (on the night) and there was never the remotest bit of danger . . . excuse my 'colourful' use of descriptive language!!

[kieron79]

Never had you as a pyromaniac NH

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by kieron79

Never had you as a pyromaniac NH

Oh yeah, I was hot stuff in them days!!

[Ken O'Heed]

A photograph of mine taken 16/05/12 from Church Road, Sheriffs Hill, Gateshead showing the 5 refurbished blocks, 4 of the blocks still to be demolished and other features of the west of city (hosted on Photobucket)




Will be interesting to take photographs from same location as blocks are removed from the skyline

This is picture taken 28/05/12 of what was left of first block to be demolished (with "Dunston Rocket" part demolished in background)




Seemed no "work by machine" was taking place on any of the 4 remaining blocks that are scheduled for demolition at time this photograph was taken

KEN

[Newcastle Historian]

.
I was initially going to post the below on the "WEST END-DEVELOPMENTS" thread, but it seems to be Riverside Dene (Cruddas Park) specific, unless I have read it wrong . . .

Newcastle Eagles linked to revamp for West End
by Rachel Wearmouth, Evening Chronicle, June 8th 2012


TALKS are under way with high-profile sports clubs as part of moves to bring £30m of regeneration to Newcastle’s West End. Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), which is leading plans for change at Riverside Dene in Elswick, is also known to have private sector backing for a green technology park – which would bring 200 jobs. The Chronicle understands the Newcastle Eagles – the region’s biggest basketball team – could become a partner in the development.

The eco-park and community sports facility look set to become part of a larger development including an enterprise centre, housing and offices in the area. Formerly known as Cruddas Park, work is ongoing to demolish five empty tower blocks – The Beeches, The Poplars, The Willows, King’s Meadows, and Haughton Court. The proposals by YHN and Newcastle City Council could create hundreds of jobs, but YHN is seeking out developers to pump private cash into the scheme.

John Lee, chief executive at Your Homes Newcastle, said: “Discussions are now at an advanced stage with a number of public and private sector partners that share our vision and enthusiasm for Riverside Dene. Plans are for a mixed-use scheme, as this will create new employment opportunities and additional housing."

“Managing a scheme of this size and complexity has to be done in a sensitive way, so we will not be able to confirm what investment has been secured until legal agreements are in place across the partnership, and local residents and Newcastle City Council have had the chance to consider the design and merits of the scheme."


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1xHhtVlyV

[Adrian_Swall]

This sounds like an interesting project.

Fab Flournoy of The Eagles is an inspirational guy so hopefully he will be involved and his example can rub off on the kids in the area.

[Ken O'Heed]

Some further photographs taken by myself 26/06/12 approx 1230 ( lunch time for workers hence no machine working) - hosted on Photobucket

Seems that the work method has changed since demolition of first block

GONE - initial use of the extremely large machine to remove "upper floors"

BEING USED - large sized machine making use of mound of rubble from first block so as to attain greater height, making it possible to reach roof level


Second block in process of being removed, material being taken from north elevation, making it appear if viewing from Scotswood Rd that nothing is happening

First block - now all remains is scrap metal and small amount of debris






Second block











KEN

[Ken O'Heed]

A further photograph taken by myself 02/07/12 approx 1245 from the approach ramp to the westbound platform at Metrocentre train station, looking over bus station access ramp - hosted on Photobucket

Shows work on second block being demolished - now at about 50% in one dimension



KEN

[Adrian_Swall]

Second block being brought to ground pictured 8th July 2012.

They have switched from the taller blocks to this one on De Grey Street (who was De Grey I wonder?)

[Haveygirl]

I have just discovered this site and think some of the photos are great. In the early 1980's I used to visit an old folks home called The Oaks ( to see an old Aunt) and it adjoined the shopping centre at Cruddas Park and was linked by a walkway to the Cruddas Park block of flats. I have fond memories of getting off the bus on Scotswood Road and walking up the hill to the home through the flats. The pictures are great!

[Newcastle Historian]

Cruddas Park vision getting closer to becoming reality
by Rachel Wearmouth, Evening Chronicle, July 20th 2012


Demolition of the empty tower blocks at Cruddas Park, Newcastle

HALF A MILLION POUNDS of investment will help bring a 3,000-seat stadium to West Newcastle. The British Basketball Association, via the Newcastle Eagles, has pledged to pump £500,000 of grant money into a project which includes a multi-use sports centre at Riverside Dene in Elswick. A £1.5m bid has also been submitted to the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to bring a green technology park which will create dozens of jobs for the area formerly known as Cruddas Park.

The £30m proposals, being put forward by Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle, are set to breathe fresh life into the area. Office space and housing are also set to be part of the development which will also include an enterprise centre. Students could also get the chance to train in an automotive centre at the site, likely to be supported by Newcastle College Group.

Redevelopment of the area is already underway to demolish five empty tower blocks – The Beeches, The Poplars, The Willows, King’s Meadows, and Haughton Court, which had been considered an eyesore. Meanwhile, YHN has transformed five of the existing housing blocks into modern and sustainable homes.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz21BHJLVKD

[Munich Mag]

I grew up living in The Beeches between 1963 and 1977, and have only fond memories. Lots of open space to play football, cricket, riding on our bikes on the hilly undulating terrain, great times. Great views across the river Tyne, within walking distance of the city centre, close to the iconic Scotswood Road. The flats were small, cold, but we had a real sense of community.
I can understand why the new owners of the refurbished flats are so happy with their lot, if you enjoy living in a high rise block, why not ?! Only hope that area picks up, it's sad how a few bad ones can disrupt so much for the majority, but that was always the case growing up in the West End of Newcastle, not a place for the faint hearted...!

Adrian, it would be great if you could post more photos on a regular basis...hopefully I'm not asking too much...