A greener future: Friday 26 February

Work is now well underway on a £1.7m green district heating system to provide heating and hot water to Cruddas Park House and the refurbished blocks.

The system, which will cut carbon emissions and trim residents' fuel bills long into the future, will be operational by the time The Sycamores is completed in the spring. The partnership is one of only seven in the UK to benefit under the Homes and Communities Agency's low-carbon funding scheme - and the the only one in the North East!

"The biomass system is an important part of our overall vision for the revitalised Riverside Dene," said Clare Wood, of Newcastle City Council.

"It's only right that we should consider greener ways to generate energy - and it was a real boost when the Homes and Communities Agency granted us the money we needed to do it!

"Once it's up and running everyone will feel the benefits."