Pros..?
The Valley is home to a vibrant community of creative businesses, innovative venues and some of the finest real ale pubs in the region. Add to that good local amenities and decent public transport links and you’ve a recipe for some seriously good living.
Regeneration plans for the Ouseburn include the provision of family homes and a mix of affordable housing. The Valley was designated a conservation area in 2000 so new additions to the Valley must fit stringent design and aesthetic criteria to preserve the character & heritage of the area.
The Lower Valley is green and peaceful but entertainment is readily available. The renowned Cluny bar and music venue and the Ship Inn share their Village Green location with an independent theatre in the Round, the national Centre for Children’s Books - Seven Stories, and 36 Lime Street, an artist’s co-operative.
Further up the Valley, Stepney Bank is home to Northern Print (the centre for contemporary printmaking in the North East), Stepney Bank Stables, The Art Works Galleries and the independent, volunteer-run Star and Shadow cinema which doubles up as a gig venue and exhibition space.
Across the water from the Valley on Gateshead Quays is the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the stunning Sage music centre designed by Norman Foster.
If culture is not your thing, Newcastle’s Quayside and city centre is known Europe-wide for its shopping and nightlife with plentiful restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs.
Cons..?
Although there are re-developments of riverside sites in the pipeline, of which the two largest will include a large number of family houses, the vision for the area is medium to long-term, so homes will probably not be complete before 2010.
However, flats and apartments for professionals or first time buyers are in plentiful supply. If this is what you’re looking for do not hesitate, as once development is underway prices are sure to rise.
Bear in mind also that as an area undergoing regeneration, construction in certain Valley locations could bring with it some noise and disturbance. On the up side though, the Valley is a designated conservation area, so any new builds will have to be designed to a very high standard.
Transport connections
Ouseburn is located two miles east of Newcastle’s city centre. Newcastle has excellent rail links with all major UK cities, and Newcastle International airport is easy to reach, just seven miles north of the city.
The area is well connected for local buses, with the Quaylink bus service serving the southern end of the Valley and frequent network services running at the northern end into the city centre.
Tyne and Wear has an excellent Metro system with good links across the region. The nearest Metro stations to Ouseburn are Manors and Byker, both about 15 minutes walk away.
There are three good sized car parks in the area, off Boyd Street, Foundry Lane and on Spiller’s Quay, which are currently all free of charge. It’s advisable to use these rather than looking for on-street car parking, which can be scarce!
Schools
The area has a good selection of schools. For primary age children there is Byker Primary, Hotspur Primary, Christchurch Primary CE, St Lawrence RC Primary and there are also two secondary schools, Heaton Manor School and St Mary’s RC Comprehensive.
Local amenities
There is a major supermarket, a Post Office and a good selection of high street and independent stores on Shields Road, just to the east of Ouseburn. There is also a Post Office and a chemist within easy reach of Lime Street.
Parks & green spaces
There are plenty of spots where you can sit in the fresh air and enjoy your surroundings in Ouseburn. The Village Green becomes a lively gathering place on summer evenings and there are interesting riverside and woodland walks to discover. Up on the City Stadium there are sports pitches and children’s playgrounds and there is another kick-about pitch on Ballast Hills, as well as an intriguing collection of old gravestones!