Community and City News - updated 08/07/2026
NewcastleGateshead Local Plan Consultation
Gateshead and Newcastle Councils are working together to create a new local plan.
The NewcastleGateshead Local Plan will guide how land is used and developed across both areas. It is a long-term approach to help decide where new homes, jobs, and supporting infrastructure such as roads and green spaces should go, as well as identifying how to protect and enhance important natural and historic assets.
This email provides details on three elements of engagement:
· Scoping Consultation;
· Communications and Engagement Strategy; and
· Call for Sites.
Why we want your views
The Local Plan must be based on evidence, follow national planning rules and reflect local need.
To help us with this, we want local residents, businesses and organisations to help shape the Local Plan. Your views will help us understand what matters most to the community and make sure the plan reflects this.
Scoping Consultation
This Scoping Consultation is your chance to share your initial thoughts on what the Local Plan should contain.
We have prepared a document which has a short series of questions to help us understand what you think the priorities should be and where the issues and opportunities are.
This is the first step in preparing the new Local Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle. Your feedback, along with evidence, will help shape the next stage of the Local Plan, including the policies it contains.
The Scoping Consultation and accompanying questions can be found on our website – details of which are at the end of this email.
Communications and Engagement Strategy Consultation
This element of the consultation is seeking ideas as the best ways to involve people throughout the Local Plan process. We want to understand the best ways in which we can communicate with you and the types of events and consultation material you find most useful.
The Communications and Engagement Strategy Consultation can be found on our website – details of which are at the end of this email.
Call for Sites
In November 2025, Gateshead and Newcastle Councils ran a six-week focused Call for Sites to inform the updated Joint Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) (2026), which will be published in July 2026.
Since then, the Councils have announced their intention to begin work on the NewcastleGateshead Local Plan. To align with the start of the new Local Plan process, we are running a Call for Sites. This gives people an opportunity to put sites forward which have not been previously considered.
Further information about the types of sites we are looking for and how you can submit them can be found on our website – the link to which is below.
The website also provides details of how updated information can be provided for previously submitted sites.
Consultation Details
The consultations on the Scoping Document and the Communications and Engagement Strategy will run from 1st July – 29th July 2026 and can be viewed at: https://newcastlegatesheadplan.org/article/38572/Scoping-Consultation.
The Call for Sites will be open from 1st July – 12th August 2026 and can be viewed at: https://newcastlegatesheadplan.org/article/35134/Call-for-Sites.
Further Information
If you need this information in another format, such as large print, or have any questions, please contact us by email at ldf@gateshead.gov.uk or by phone on 0191 433 3415.
SEARCH - July 2026 Bulletin
SEARCH - June 2026 Bulletin
Need Help with Training Costs - Deadline 30th June 2026
Need Help with Training or Education Costs?
Are you living in a Newcastle Council home and are about to start a training course or are already studying but finding it hard to cover the costs?
Will the course help you develop the learning and skills to support your future employment?
The Northern Housing Consortium has launched this year’s Unlocking Success, a bursary scheme to help people living in social housing take part in education or training.
You could receive up to £500 to support you with things like:
- Course or exam fees
- Equipment or tools
- Books or learning materials
- Travel costs
- Childcare while you study
You can apply if:
- You are a council tenant
- You are aged 16 or over
- You are already on a course or planning to start one
- The course will help you learn new skills and support your future employment
We can help you with the process and apply on your behalf.
The application has two short parts:
- A short form completed by us as your landlord
- A short ‘pitch’ from you, where you explain in your own words:
- What course you are doing or planning to do
- How the grant would help you
- How the course could make a difference to your future
Your pitch can be written or recorded as a short video, whichever you feel more comfortable with.
The deadline is 30th June.
Domestic Violence Workshops (Free to Attend)
Newcastle Cathedral are hosting domestic abuse workshops, delivered by the Findaway network. They are free to attend.
When? Thursday 2 July 10.00am - 1.00pm, or 27 October 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Where? Newcastle Cathedral
To book, email Lee Batson: dean@newcastlecathedral.org.uk
NEXUS Update
See the below update from NEXUS regarding reporting issues on the Tyne & Wear Metro Service:
"I am writing to advise you that the alert system for customers to report issues on the Tyne and Wear Metro by sending a discreet text message from a mobile phone is switching to WhatsApp. This will make it easier and also free to make a report.
This new WhatsApp number is now live, replacing the current 66777 alert number completely. This change removes the network charges that customers pay when sending a text to 66777. Customers will also be able to send relevant images and video footage to support the report at no extra cost.
The new WhatsApp number - 07345 222 710, along with details of a dedicated Metro safety website page, will be prominently displayed on all Metro trains and stations, and customers can also get quick access to it by saving the number on their phone.
To enable non-WhatsApp users to access the service, and to maximise connectivity, SMS messages can also be sent to the new number. Reports can also be made via the Pop App, by using a station Help Point, or the call for aid button on board the Metro train.
The ‘Report It’ function on the Pop App will also allow customers to make reports in the same way.
WhatsApp will make it much simpler and quicker for customers to directly contact the Metro control room, as messages won’t need to include the ‘REPORTIT’ prefix.
We are determined to ensure that Metro is a safe and secure environment for our customers to travel on. This alert system is a key part of that. It’s a vital tool for concerned customers to be able to make direct, discreet contact with us if they need to report anything when travelling with us.
The system works in the same way as the current one, sending a direct alert to Metro’s South Gosforth control room for the team to monitor, assess and appropriately action.
In the event of an emergency, people should still dial 999 and dial 101 for non-emergency situations that require the police to attend straight away."
Food Waste Recycling
NCC Your new food waste recycling leaflet Print Ready Final.pdf
📞 Adult Social CarePoint has moved to a new phone system!
You can now contact us by phoning Newcastle City Council on 0191 278 7878 and ask for “Adult Social Care Point”
You’ll be asked to confirm “Is that Adult Social Care Point?” Please answer “Yes” to then speak to the next available person.
If the system doesn’t catch what you say, it will ask you to repeat which department you would like to speak to. If it still can’t understand, you will be put through to our Customer Contact Centre.
Adult Social CarePoint at Newcastle City Council
Phone: 0191 278 7878 ask for Adult Social CarePoint
Open: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Email: ASCP@newcastle.gov.uk
Website: www.newcastle.gov.uk/AdultSocialCare
Newcastle City Council Update - Newcastle Plan
A4-FLYER-NEWCASTLE-PLAN-FEEDBACK.pdf
Energy Affordability Helpline
- Problems with your energy supplier?
- Worried about fuel bills?
- Need an emergency fuel voucher support?
- Want to save money?
- Need help to get on the Priority Services Register, to pay your bills or save energy?
Citizens Advice Newcastle (CAN) give free, confidential and independent home energy advice to people who live, work or study in Newcastle. You can speak to an advisor by phone, webchat or email. For urgent matters you can drop in for advice (subject to availability) from Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm.
Telephone: 0800 448 0721
Email: citycab@newcastlecab.org.uk
Read more on InformationNOW about energy saving tips
Community Transport Lets Chat Hubs
Community Transport are applying for funding to set up three Let’s Chat Hubs for disabled people who experience loneliness and isolation in Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside/South Northumberland. The Hubs are intended to provide a safe, welcoming place for people to drop in and simply be with others, socialise, enjoy mutual interests and make new friends. The project aims to:
- Use existing community or local resources for a hub that is warm, inviting, accessible all day and friendly.
- Provide a co-ordinator to manage the hub, co-ordinate activities and signpost to other services
- Recruit local volunteers to help welcome people to the hub, provide refreshments and simply talk with others.
- Provide accessible transport for those who cannot access the Hubs by other means.
Community Transport want to gather the views of local organisations and stakeholders on the proposed funded project including where it is most needed, what community resources are available and how best they can work together with other organisations.
You can give your views using their short survey found here
Read more on InformationNOW about Community transport or minibus services
New Dementia Care Group
New Dementia Group starting next Monday 26th February 2024
This will be a monthly meeting running the last Monday of every month, it will be a lovely session offering refreshments, activities and music and is completely free.
It is open to anyone living with Dementia, carers and family members.
Could you please to any contacts you think would be interested in this.
If anyone expresses interest please ask them to contact the centre on 0191 261 6027 to confirm attendance
Dementia group Final poster.pdf
The Newcastle Pantry is coming soon! We are a small social supermarket set up to help people on a low income save money on food shopping bills. We are part of the Newcastle West End Foodbank charity, but we have a separate brand and identity. Unlike a foodbank our members pay a subscription of £5 when they visit one of our pop-up pantries. In return they can choose a minimum of 10 items from a choice of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy items, tinned items plus other essential household items. Our pantry will accept Healthy Start vouchers allowing eligible households to pay for half of their membership (£2.50) this way. The remainder of their membership needs to be paid in the usual way.
Our first pop-up pantry will be launching at Blakelaw Community Centre in April. To help us celebrate and meet members of the community we’ve arranged a coffee morning on Tuesday 21 March between 10am and 21 noon. If you live in Blakelaw why not come and say hello, see how our pantry will look and find out how you can save money on your shopping.
If you support people living in Blakelaw who could benefit from the pantry please could you help us to promote this offer? I’ve attached a poster and some information on frequently asked questions about the pantry.
If you’re unable to make the coffee morning but would like to know more about the pantry and how it develops email: clare.fish@newcastle.gov.uk and we will add you to our pantry mailing list.
FAQ's - Newcastle Community Pantry
Newcastle Community Pantry FAQ's.docx
The return of the Community Defibrillator
Following the sad news that our original defibrillator had been stolen in April 2022, Blakelaw and North Fenham Community have successfully obtained a replacement life saving Defibrillator to help support the community and all the residents in the area of Blakelaw and North Fenham. With the support of the The Red Sky Foundation and the continued support from Your Homes Newcastle, the defibrillator has been placed on the outside of Moorland House.
Alcohol Awareness Leaflet
Alcohol Causes Cancer 2022 PARTNER TOOLKIT FINAL LA7[4552].docx
RCH
Tik Tok Awareness Leaflet
Thomas Walling Primary School - Queen's Green Canopy
Mr Serfontein, Deputy Lieutenant, attended Thomas Walling Primary Academy on Monday 11th October, 2021. He addressed an assembly of pupils, explaining the significance of the Queen's Green Canopy and included some very interesting facts about trees. The children thoroughly enjoyed joining in with his 'wow' moments and felt very excited and privileged to be the recipient of one of only 70 birch trees as part of this important initiative. Following the assembly, Mr Serfontein planted the birch tree (betula ermanii) with members of the School Council. It now has pride of place on 'the hill' outside of the school's dining hall, where it can be viewed every day.
More information about the Queen’s Green Canopy, ‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee’, can be found at this website:
Useful Links
Newcastle City Council, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH
Telephone No. 0191 278 7878