Newcastle's iconic Byker estate is "listed" by Culture minister David Lammy
005/07
The Byker estate in Newcastle has today been listed Grade II* by Culture Minister David Lammy, following advice from English Heritage.
The 1970s modern masterpiece is regarded as the finest example of work by renowned Swedish architect, Ralph Erskine.
David Lammy said:
“The Byker estate is an extraordinary and outstanding piece of architecture which has won awards and attracted attention throughout its life. Its influence, both on design and the way we involve communities in the planning process, has been profound.
“It is right that it should now get the extra protection that listing provides. But listing does not mean that a building should be preserved unaltered for all time. Rather, it is a marker that the estate is important and decisive in its architectural influence, deserving special consideration if development plans ever come forward.”
Carol Pyrah, Planning and Development Regional Director for English Heritage added:
“English Heritage is delighted that the Byker Estate, one of the nation’s most important 20th century housing schemes, has been listed. The Estate’s groundbreaking design has been influential across Europe and has proved a pioneering model for its approach to public participation. Residents of the Estate and Newcastle City Council have long recognised the architectural value of Byker. Now, with the help of funding from English Heritage, an excellent conservation management plan has been devised and the City Council is to be congratulated for its careful stewardship of this architecturally significant and socially innovative estate.”
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Note to Editors
1. The main purpose of listing a building is to ensure that care will be taken over decisions affecting its future, that any alterations respect the particular character and interest of the building, and that the case for its preservation is taken fully into account in considering the merits of any redevelopment proposals.
2. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (then known as the Department of National Heritage) announced in March 1995 that there would be public consultation on recommendations for listing arising from English Heritage's thematic studies of post-war and other building types. In August 1995 the Department announced that the consultation procedure would be extended to proposals to spot-list individual post-war buildings. However, the Secretary of State may take action to list a building at any time on the basis of information before her if she considers it to be under threat of alteration or demolition.
3. Further details of English Heritage's recommendations can be obtained from Historic Environment Designation Branch, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH.
4. Byker Estate, Newcastle Upon Tyne Grade II* Byker Estate is regarded as being both of historic and architectural importance, and has been influential on housing projects up to and including the Greenwich Millennium Village. The estate has won many international awards, including a Civic Trust Award, the Eternit Award, the Ambrose Congreve Award for housing in 1980 and the Veronica Rudge Green Prize for urban design from Harvard University. The estate is regarded as a significant social achievement because of the carefully phased process of development that attempted to preserve the social infrastructure of the whole community. It is also the greatest achievement of internationally renowned architect, Ralph Erskine.
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