Residents in Pelaw, Gateshead, have been left 'terrified' by a surge in anti-social behaviour they attribute to a nearby supported housing facility. The Portland Street site, operated by Tyne Housing, provides 20 self-contained apartments for vulnerable individuals, many of whom have experienced homelessness. Since its opening in May 2026, locals report increased thefts, noise, begging, and public intoxication.
Residents Speak Out
Most residents in the area declined to be named, but one man told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that his wife is now 'terrified' to be left alone at home. Another resident, Keith Goodall, said he uses a ring doorbell to monitor people walking up the street toward the facility. 'When I walk the dog, it’s fine, but when my wife does, she is more concerned now,' he stated, noting an increase in shouting and arguing.
A long-time resident commented: 'We have never had a piece of bother before that. It’s always been a calm, quiet area.' Another added: 'I went shopping at 9am, and for the first time you could see some people begging or staggering clearly intoxicated, and that’s something we have not seen in Pelaw for years.'
Councillor Criticises Planning Process
Liberal Democrat Councillor Amanda Wintcher, who represents the ward, criticised the lack of consultation. 'Local councillors were not informed about the proposal until November 2023, a few weeks before it was made public. I objected due to the location and design, and spoke against it at planning committee meetings on behalf of residents. But at that point, it was too late to consider other sites in Pelaw or make substantial changes,' she said.
Since approval in March 2024, Wintcher has met regularly with Tyne Housing and contractors. 'We expected some issues once the building opened in May 2026, but not the flood of reports we have received. Residents now say they feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood, and this is unacceptable,' she added. She acknowledged that Tyne Housing has taken some steps but stressed that more action is needed.
Funding and Purpose of the Facility
The development received £3.5 million in funding from Homes England and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP). This includes revenue funding for bespoke support to help residents move toward independence. Tyne Housing originally gained planning permission in 2024.
Joint Statement from Tyne Housing and Gateshead Council
In a joint statement, Tyne Housing and Gateshead Council said: 'Prospect Place was developed to provide much-needed supported housing for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, who need support to live independently and rebuild their lives.' They emphasised the importance of locating the facility within an established community with access to amenities, transport, and healthcare, and noted that the brownfield site had limited alternative redevelopment prospects.
The statement continued: 'Throughout the development and opening of Prospect Place, Tyne Housing have worked hard to communicate openly and transparently with the local community and ward councillors, including holding a community open day and continuing to meet regularly with local representatives to listen to feedback and respond to concerns.' They added that they are working closely with residents as they settle in, providing additional support where needed.
Ongoing Concerns and Next Steps
Councillor Wintcher vowed to continue pushing for improvements: 'Local people recognise the need for this kind of housing and want it to work well, but not at the expense of quality of life for the community or local businesses. Tyne Housing have taken some steps to get the issues under control, and Council officers have told us more are coming. We as ward councillors will continue to push them, the Council, and the Police to make sure all residents feel safe on their streets.'
The situation remains a point of tension, with residents calling for immediate action to restore peace in the neighbourhood.
