Report warns Gosforth High Street is under threat

May 28 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THREATS to the character of one of Newcastle’s most desirable suburbs have been highlighted in a new study.

The condition of Gosforth High Street does not reflect the quality of the wider area and street trees are being lost in the suburb, it is claimed.

Residents want to stay in Gosforth but they also desire bigger homes and this is leading to large and unsuitable extensions.

The concerns surface in Newcastle City Council’s new Gosforth Conservation Area management plan.

The plan is based on the Gosforth Conservation Area character statement, which seeks to:

DEFINE the significance of the Conservation Area and assess the threats and opportunities.

ENSURE the character and appearance of the Conservation Area will be maintained through effective management

Gosforth Conservation Area was designated in 2002 to help preserve the character of the traditional residential district. It represents some of the city’s earliest and finest Victorian and Edwardian housing.

The High Street is at the historic core of the Conservation Area and was part of the old Great North Road from London to Edinburgh.

Although much of the traffic has been diverted with the creation of the A1 by-pass, it is still a major traffic route out of Newcastle city centre. The plan says the high level of traffic, with its dirt, noise and health and safety concerns is a major issue, while landscaping is said to be of poor quality.