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'Huge' project to breathe new life into Hirst estate

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date12 April 2024
Publication titleEvening Chronicle
The council unveiled the Hirst masterplan covering the estate of the same name in Ashington

Built at the start of the 20th century, the estate is mainly made up of former mining cottages and is described as being at the "heart of a strong and long-established community".

However, the estate now features a large number of empty homes and rising anti-social behaviour.

It is also the most deprived area of Ashington and is in the top 10% most deprived areas in England.

Introducing the masterplan at Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet, council leader Glen Sanderson described the project as "huge".

He said: "This is the biggest piece of work I have ever seen as a councillor that we have entered into. All members of the cabinet are involved in this. Without their support, we would not have got to where we are today. This is a major regeneration project, the largest we have ever seen as a council."

Deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth outlined some of the issues facing the Hirst estate.

He said: "This is something that no previous council in Northumberland has grappled with, which is what to do about the Hirst and how to make it the best place for residents of that community now and in the future.

"It is a significant piece of work and for that reason it is going to take a significant amount of time. There are complicated issues to deal with including having the finances in place and making sure residents are really on board. The Hirst is reflective of its heritage with rows and rows of miners homes. The properties are all the same and don't necessarily match what people require from modern-day life."

Coun Wearmouth added that an early phase of the project would likely see the development of the former Coulson School site, which has stood empty for many years.

It is hoped that doing so would enable more...

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