Gateshead Council 'committed' to Clasper Village redevelopment

The former Clasper Village Estate site has stood empty since early 2018

A Tyneside council says it "remains committed" to redeveloping a former housing estate site, six years after the last homes were demolished.

Bulldozers moved on to Gateshead's Clasper Village Estate in 2015.

But work was halted when the final resident, Michael Crossman, refused to leave his two-bedroom flat where he had lived for almost 50 years.

He eventually moved out in December 2017 with demolition completed the following year.

Gateshead Council announced plans for a near 200-home development in 2019, but they were shelved in 2022 with the Labour-led authority citing a rise in costs.

Talks under way

Now it says it is looking for a development partner and will launch a procurement exercise this spring.

A spokesman said discussions had already been held with "numerous" organisations.

He added: "There is an expectation that a planning application will be submitted by the end of 2024, with works due to commence in 2025.

"Current expectations are that there will be at least 190 homes on the development, but this is subject to planning permission, which will be submitted by the developer once procurement has concluded."

Demolition was halted when Michael Crossman refused to move from his home of nearly 50 years

The council first announced plans to redevelop the site in 2011, saying it would be cheaper to build new social housing rather than refurbish the existing flats and tackle anti-social behaviour.

At the time demolition was brought to a standstill, Mr Crossman said he had lived in his two-bedroom flat at Palmerston Walk with his late wife since 1970.

He had been the sole remaining resident for at least six months.