Byker Wall residents approve community trust plan

The Byker Wall is a Grade II-listed structure

Residents of a Tyneside estate have given the thumbs up to the formation of a community trust to manage a multi-million pound investment programme.

The government has agreed more than £40m funding to improve the Grade II-listed Byker wall.

This would be overseen by a not-for-profit organisation, run by a board with tenant representation.

Following a public consultation, local people voted in favour of transferring their homes to the new group.

Subject to approval by the Homes and Communities Agency, the Byker Community Trust should be launched in early 2012.

Barry Rowland, chief executive of Newcastle City Council, said: "We have always believed that setting up the trust was the best way forward for local people, giving them greater control over what happens on their estate and the means to improve it.

"Now local people have spoken and it's great news for tenants, the wider community and future generations.

"As well as enabling a wide range of physical improvements, the investment will protect a Grade II-listed heritage asset, one of a small number of social housing estates with that status in the country."