The committee heard oral evidence from around 25 key figures Board Secretary and Director at National Infrastructure Planning Association Former Chair at National Infrastructure Commission and Richard Benwell Chief Executive at Wildlife and Countryside Link CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link said: it’s a partner for the healthy homes and green energy the country needs But the current Planning and Infrastructure Bill trades environmental certainty for wishful thinking and missing the chance to restore wildlife and a healthier environment to communities “The committee has an opportunity to create a legacy that puts nature at the heart of decision-making rather than reverting to one that treats environmental improvement as an afterthought it must ensure robust environmental safeguards are written into the Bill Government risks laying a foundation which won’t stand up to the needs of people or nature now or in the future.” Published by Capel Media Limited Registered in England and Wales Company Registration Number 13636441VAT Number GB 391 5977 47 Registered address:2 Claridge CourtLower Kings RoadBerkhamstedHertfordshireHP4 2AF Proud to be a member of British Water www.britishwater.co.uk © Capel Media Limited. All rights reserved. Click here to view our Privacy Policy For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar Environment Agency Updated: 13:41 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 Dry with warm sunny spells today. Light winds. A cold and sunny start for many. Otherwise, another fine and dry day, with some decent spells of sunshine. Some high level cloud turning the sunshine hazy at times. Feeling a touch warmer compared to Monday, with light winds. Maximum temperature 19 °C. A fine end to the day, with some evening sunshine. Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight. Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 2 °C. Staying fine and dry, with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells on Wednesday, after a chilly start in places. Feeling cooler than on Tuesday, with a gentle northeasterly breeze. Maximum temperature 14 °C. Fine and settled weather conditions are expected to continue with variable cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout. Temperatures near normal by day, with some chilly nights. Light winds. Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period. Overall, fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers, with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places. Overall, temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average. immediate custodial sentence' following the fatal Benwell blast A seven-year-old boy was killed in a house explosion which police say was caused by a man involved in making cannabis sweets in a neighbouring flat has admitted the manslaughter of Archie York and Galbraith’s friend Jason “Jay” Laws rendered families homeless and led to a major emergency services response had previously denied manslaughter and was due to go on trial next month but appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a prison videolink to change his pleas to guilty on Thursday (3 April) He also admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024 He will be sentenced on 14 May by Mr Justice Cotter after a report has been prepared who remanded him in custody after Galbraith pleaded guilty told the defendant: “As you will be aware you face a significant Shortly before 12.45am on 16 October last year police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service who had responded to a fire at an address on Violet Close in the Benwell area it became clear a drugs lab to produce cannabis concentrates – known as ‘shatter’ or ‘butane honey oil’ – was being operated inside an address used by Galbraith and Jason Laws This in turn was then used to create cannabis edibles The extraction process used to produce this Class B drug is highly dangerous Archie and his family were asleep in the premises directly above where this was taking place when the explosion occurred said: “This is a truly tragic case in which two people died including young Archie who had his whole life ahead of him friends and all those who have been left heartbroken by what has happened the community has come together to support each other and provide the information we needed for such a complex investigation “The tireless work of all involved left Reece Galbraith with little choice but to plead guilty to all charges in the face of overwhelming evidence.” She added: “The process of creating ‘cannabis shatter’ and other drugs in this way is exceptionally dangerous “The truly devastating impact of this case should be enough to make anyone doing this to think again “We would also urge anyone who has any information about the production of drugs to come forward so we can take action – you could save someone’s life.” Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Archie York whose tragic death last year shocked the community of Benwell “It is clear from the evidence in this case that the explosion which took Archie’s life was caused by a build-up of butane in the address used by Jason Laws "That address had been the site of an illegal operation producing a highly concentrated form of cannabis through a dangerous process involving the use of large quantities of flammable butane gas “The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with Northumbria Police to build a robust case against Reece Galbraith for his involvement in that operation which has been instrumental in securing his guilty pleas to all charges against him “We hope that today’s convictions bring some measure of comfort to the family of Archie York at what must remain an incredibly difficult time for them.” Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Claire Armstrong, representing the prosecution during the magistrates’ court hearing, said the explosion on 16 October was caused by butane gas that was in the property to process drugs. “Following the explosion, 100 butane canisters were found,” she said. She said Galbraith’s fingerprints were present on items recovered from the destroyed flat which the prosecution described as a “drug lab”. Michael Gibson, defending at the magistrates’ court hearing, said Galbraith had been in regular work in construction until the age of 31. Mr Gibson said: “He was lucky not to be killed in the explosion. “He was placed in an induced coma for a week and in hospital for a month receiving treatment. That treatment is ongoing. “He doesn’t have full use of his arms due to burns. He is weak and feeble.” Northumbria Police are keen to hear from anyone who becomes aware of people buying, taking delivery of or being in possession of multiple butane canisters, propane bottles or unusual looking stainless-steel equipment. Anyone with information on suspected drug criminality should contact the force on 101. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know... The initial transformation of the Benwell Dene single-family housing (SFH) Build to Rent site in Newcastle’s West End is taking shape. © 2025 BTR News. All Rights Reserved. An investigation has been ongoing since the incident in Violet Close in Benwell in the early hours of Wednesday 16 October. The blast killed seven-year-old Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws. On Wednesday, three men – two in their 30s and one in his 50s – were arrested. Each was arrested on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter, and the production of a Class B drug, namely cannabis. They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries. Police continue to ask people to avoid speculation surrounding this incident both online and in the community. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know... A boxer whose brother died in an explosion at a block of flats in Newcastle says he staying strong as he takes his memory into the ring with him was killed along with seven-year-old Archie York last month which which destroyed several homes is fighting in Newcastle on Friday (22 November) he spoke to ITV Tyne Tees at the weigh-in ahead of the contest where he described Jason as "the best big brother" He said the pair used to watch the Rocky films as boys and Jason had become one of his biggest fans "Every fight he would always just turn up - out of the blue," he said "Love him to bits and he'll be a great miss "And it's true - life isn't fair sometimes "I've got kids that look up to me - I've got fantastic friends and fantastic family so the show will go on I've got to stay strong and finish the mission I started years ago." the sport of throwing punches is throwing its arms around him It's all about fighting and punching each other in the face but at the same time it's also one of the biggest gentleman's sports in the world "You punch each other then you hug and make up So there is a fraternity here and Joe is part of that Everybody's reached out - putting their arms around him and making sure he's alright." Joe said his brother protected him growing up and would have died for him he wants to honour him in the only way he knows how Three men arrested in connection with the blast earlier this month have been bailed pending further inquiries Newcastle City Council say all but two of the 140 people evacuated following the incident are back in their homes or have been moved into new permanent or temporary properties Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.. A man who died following an explosion at a block of flats in Newcastle has been identified Jason Laws, 35, died at the scene of the blast in Violet Close, in the Benwell area, in the early hours of last Wednesday (16 October). Northumbria Police said Mr Laws' next of kin are being assisted by specially-trained officers.The body of Mr Laws was discovered by emergency services in the wake of the explosion which also killed seven-year-old Archie York Archie's parents paid tribute to him on Tuesday, describing him as their "not only our son but our best friend". were taken to hospital with varying degrees of injuries following the incident Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing with cordons expected to remain in place for some time Three men have been arrested in connection with an explosion in Newcastle which claimed two lives including a seven-year-old boy Northumbria Police have been investigating since the incident in Violet Close, in Benwell, in the early hours of Wednesday 16 October. The force confirmed on Wednesday (6 November) that three men Each has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter said: “This has been a truly tragic incident which resulted in the loss of two lives three men have today been arrested in connection with the explosion “Our investigation will remain ongoing as we seek to provide answers to what has happened “We would continue to ask people to avoid speculation surrounding this incident both online and in the community “Anyone with any information which could assist our enquiries should contact us as soon as possible if they have not already done so “We would also like to thank people for their continued support and cooperation.” Those with information which could assist the investigation should complete the form here For those unable to contact the Force via this way Information can also be provided anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website the developer and long-term operator of the scheme national partnership housing specialist who have been contracted to build the properties met with the primary school’s Headteacher Samantha Robson and Business Manager Adam Beechey on site at Benwell Dene to discuss opportunities for future engagement and collaboration One event already in the pipeline is an assembly visit by Lovell staff with the aim to educate pupils on health and safety and the dangers of building sites which will be followed by a poster design competition The Benwell Dene development will regenerate a six-acre brownfield site located off Delaval Road in the West End of the city providing 119 two to four-bedroom houses and 27 two-bedroom apartments for long-term rent Placefirst, a developer and operator of single-family homes, appointed the North East region of Lovell as the contractor to build the homes in June 2024. Construction started on site in August 2024, and the scheme is expected to be completed by June 2027. Once finished, the homes will be managed by Placefirst. “As a socially-responsible developer, we are committed to engaging with and supporting the communities where we build. While regenerating this disused brownfield site, and creating new homes for local families which will provide significant benefits in themselves, we believe it is important to have a positive impact in other ways. “Establishing an ongoing relationship with Bridgewater Community Primary School aligns very much with this ethos. It was a great pleasure to welcome Samantha Robson and Adam Beechey to Benwell Dene so we could show them the work that has taken place so far as well as exploring ways in which we can assist the school while this regeneration project is being delivered. “They were fully engaged during a guided tour of the site and were interested to hear about our plans to build homes which will feature air source heat pumps and solar panels to help residents reduce their energy use while also helping to lower carbon emissions. “Through a programme of continuous engagement with the school, our aim is to help the staff give their pupils a more rounded, richer journey though the very important earlier years of their education.”    “Engaging with young people about development and construction at an early stage is important not only to help demystify the industry and showcase the diverse range of skills involved, but also potentially inspire future careers. There’s a huge range of opportunities in the built environment, across engineering and design to sustainability, project management and more.” “With such high demand for housing across the UK, our sector needs to do more to attract the best talent, ensuring we have the skilled workforce required to meet the demand in the future. And while the pupils at Bridgewater might not be putting hard hats on just yet, we hope to highlight how the skills they’re learning in the classroom will be important in the future.” “It was a privilege to be able to visit the site. Affordable, rented family homes are much needed in the west end of Newcastle, and we are really pleased this is happening so close to our school. “Placefirst have a focus on developing a sense of community which is welcomed, and it will complement the work already happening at The Rise. “We look forward to working closely with both Lovell and Placefirst with the children to develop their knowledge of the career opportunities working in construction as well as other links to the curriculum. Our School Council are excited about visiting the site and being involved in a poster competition.” Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Credit: PANewcastle City Council are beginning to demolish the homes involved in a devastating explosion in the Benwell area of the city in October The authority have said the police are bringing their on-site investigations to a close and that they are now taking control of the site and will be knocking down the damaged properties The demolition work has begun this week and is set to be finished early in the new year Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason Laws lost their lives following the blast in Violet Close in the early hours of 16 October The council added that all 140 residents who were evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night at the time of the explosion now have secure housing in place or are in temporary houses while their homes are repaired Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Housing said: “This has been an incredibly difficult period for a huge number of people not least those who are grieving the loss of loved ones with all residents suffering severe disruption to their lives “I must give huge credit to residents for the way they have conducted themselves with such integrity during an experience nobody could have been prepared for “The investigations that have taken place have been incredibly complex and I’d like to thank Northumbria Police and other partners for their cooperation and professionalism during this time they can’t continue to police the site indefinitely “We’ve used this time to prepare to make the site safe while some households continue to wait to return to their previous properties make sure the right support is in place for anyone who needs it and that we’re ready to go to make Violet Close liveable again for our residents “There’s still some way to go and of course the impact of what took place here can never be forgotten but we look forward to helping residents return to some sense of normality and independence in their lives as quickly and safely as possible.” Northumbria Police continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion Three men - two in their 30s and one in his 50s - were each arrested on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and the production of a Class B drug They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries Two men in their 30s and one in his 50s detained on suspicion of manslaughter and cannabis production Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and the production of cannabis in connection with an explosion at a house in which two people including a seven-year-old boy were killed in Newcastle Northumbria police on Wednesday said two men in their 30s and one man in his 50s were in police custody The arrests are in connection with the house explosion in the early hours of 16 October died in the blast and subsequent fire that tore through properties in Violet Close The investigation into the explosion would remain ongoing said DCI Katie Smith of Northumbria police Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PAFootage on social media showed flames billowing into the night sky while drone pictures in the morning showed the extent of damage caused to the properties Six other people were hospitalised and more than 120 nearby residents were unable to return to their homes Police said the three men had each been arrested “on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and the production of a class B drug Archie York Photograph: Northumbria police/PADCI Katie Smith thanked people for their support and cooperation “This has been a truly tragic incident which resulted in the loss of two lives,” she said Our investigation will remain ongoing as we seek to provide answers to what has happened Anyone with any information which could assist our inquiries should contact us as soon as possible if they have not already done so.” as a boy who “lit up every room he went in whether that was with his cheeky smile he was known for or some of his cheeky words” They said: “We are so broken as a family but Archie will live on in his baby brother He might have been small but he had a heart of gold was found later in the day by teams going through debris at the scene of the explosion He was described by his brother Joseph as “the best dad in the world” Police had said they expected the investigation to take some time due to the level of damage Sign up here for your daily business digest direct to your inbox Sign Up Discover our talented editorial team and the principles that drive them A Newcastle housing development is transforming a former brownfield site into a community-focused neighbourhood Developer Placefirst and contractor Lovell are delivering 146 new homes at Benwell Dene a six-acre site off Delaval Road in the city’s West End.  The development will include 119 houses and 27 apartments who represents the Benwell and Scotswood ward on the Newcastle City Council was given a tour of the scheme to see the progress being made He said: "I am excited at the progress being made on this new housing development at Benwell Dene which I was able to visit recently.  “After many years of decline due to the loss of traditional industries the West End of Newcastle is now on the rise and housing developments such as this are such a vital part of these ongoing improvements.  “It will bring new families to the area and our local schools are already beginning to benefit from these changes with rising levels of performance.” on-site maintenance and pet-friendly tenancies to support sustainable urban living Phil Jones, development director at Placefirst, who along with representatives from Lovell recently announced a partnership with nearby Bridgewater School at Benwell Dene, added: “We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to Benwell Dene and share our vision for this new rental community. “Transforming brownfield sites into thriving neighbourhoods is at the heart of what we do at Placefirst, and it was fantastic to showcase the progress being made by Lovell on construction. “The development will provide high-quality, long-term rental homes that offer security, sustainability, and a strong sense of community – enhancing the already vibrant character of the area and helping to ease housing shortages.  “We look forward to seeing Benwell Dene take shape and to welcoming our first residents.” Sign up to receive our daily bulletin, sent to your inbox, for free. Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws died in the blast in Violet Close, in Benwell, earlier this month, while dozens were forced to leave their homes. As a probe continues to try and establish the cause of the explosion, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) chiefs paid tribute to the victims on Monday (28 October). Lynsey McVay, the service’s assistant chief fire officer, described the incident as the “most challenging we have had in recent years”, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Speaking at a Fire Authority meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in Washington, she added that the Violet Close blast had been “managed really, really well” despite the loss of two lives and called it the biggest incident she had witnessed where firefighters “were not playing catchup”. Ms McVay, who was on the scene of the explosion 35 minutes after it was reported in the early hours of 16 October, said: “It was a really emotive incident, emotions were really high throughout. "That was predominantly because there were missing people and a missing child. The crews conducted themselves exceptionally well and it was managed exceptionally well, from my perspective. “It was a challenging incident, the most challenging we have had in recent years because time was of the essence and we had to try and locate those that were missing. “Sadly we found the young child who was there and then later in the day the adult male [who were both found dead at the scene]. "Investigations are ongoing as to the cause and that was not our concern, an explosion had happened and we were in the search and rescue phase.” Sunderland councillor and Fire Authority chair Phil Tye praised the dedication of firefighters who tackled the blaze, while Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour echoed the praise for the emergency services at the scene. Peter Heath, TWFRS chief fire officer, said: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the people we lost in that fire and their families. "We have worked alongside our partners, Newcastle City Council in particular, to make sure we are offering what we can in terms of support while it was ongoing and in the days after.” Six others were taken to hospital following the explosion, one of whom was seriously injured and remains in hospital. Meanwhile, a new hub has been set up to help families displaced by the explosion. Those forced out of their homes as a result of the deadly blast are being invited to the nearby Cornerstone Community Centre to pick up clothes, furniture, toys, toiletries and other essential items donated by residents and businesses since the harrowing incident. As Newcastle City Council bosses work to help families either return to their homes when it is safe to do so or move into alternative accommodation on a longer-term basis, affected households can now head to the Cornerstone site on Armstrong Road to pick out what items they need as they try to rebuild almost two weeks on from the traumatic explosion. The donations will then be boxed up and delivered by volunteers and council staff working out of the West End hub. City council leader Karen Kilgour said: “The outpouring of love we have seen at this extremely traumatic time has been incredible. To see the community coming together in support of those who are grieving, those who are recovering and those who have been displaced is a credit to our city and I’d like to thank both local people and businesses for their kind and generous donations. “The needs and welfare of those affected remain our absolute priority and, as we support people into new homes – on either a temporary or permanent basis – we are both providing essential items and working with community organisations to distribute the huge numbers of donations to those who need them.” Amanda Sturdy, operations manager at the Cornerstone Community Centre, added: “The support from the local and wider North East community has been heartwarming and we want to thank everyone who has helped to support the residents of Violet Close. “We have received amazing donations of clothing, toiletries and children’s books and toys and we are working tirelessly to sort them so we can get them into the right hands as quickly as possible.” This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Placefirst reaches a construction milestone, breaking ground at its Benwell Dene single-family housing (SFH) Build to Rent development. Play Brightcove videoKris Jepson visited the community centre which has offered a helping hand to families since the Benwell explosion A community centre in the west end of Newcastle has continued its donation effort to support those affected by the Benwell explosion during the festive period flowers on the streets of Benwell evoked raw grief felt by a community for seven-year-old Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws Both were killed by an explosion on Violet Close in the early hours of 16 October, an event which displaced 140 people from their homes. Around 83 of those people are unable to return facing Christmas without a house to call their own As the demolition of affected buildings on the street and surrounding area continues normality for the affected families may be one Christmas wish too far The Cornerstone in Benwell has been gathering donations since the explosion and supporting residents Operations Manager Amy Sturdy said: "There’s been a lot of sadness I’m not ashamed to say that our team have cried with them after hearing some of the horrible stories that have come out of there "We have also heard some really happy stories there’s some people who are absolutely thrilled with their new houses a lot of people with some difficult mental health problems and struggles especially over the bonfire period when all of the explosions and fireworks were going off." Donations have been received from as far north as Alnwick gifts that can be offered at Christmas are also available the Housing Lead at Newcastle City Council said: "We have put in support services They’ve linked in with the housing officers and we’ve got them sort of trauma counselling and lots of people to talk to "[Residents] got a named person they can ring anytime and also the support of all the community groups who’ve absolutely been amazing and just making these feel as normally as they possibly could." Criminal proceedings surrounding the explosion on 16 October are ongoing One man has been charged with manslaughter and the production of cannabis in relation to the blast Six flats in a residential road were ‘badly affected’ by the explosion which happened shortly before 1am on Wednesday News | UK A seven-year-old boy has died after a large explosion in a street in Benwell, Newcastle Six people have also been taken to hospital “with varying injuries” after the incident that destroyed a number of flats in the early hours of Wednesday Emergency services were called to the incident in Violet Close in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city Superintendent Darren Adams of Northumbria Police said the young boy had died at the scene with a number of others evacuated from their homes He described the explosion as “an incredibly tragic incident” with a “truly devastating outcome” “I have no doubt that the people of Elswick and Benwell will want to join me in extending their thoughts and condolences to family and friends,” he told reporters “The loss and pain they must be suffering is unimaginable.” Drone pictures from above the street showed at least one house appeared to have been completely destroyed with roofs collapsed and firefighters working among the rubble Piles of debris could be seen on the street outside Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service two of which suffered the main brunt of the explosion” Superintendent Adams said a number of people had been evacuated from their homes and an investigation was now under way into the cause of the explosion He said a cordon was likely to be in place “for some time” A family friend of some of the victims said there had been a “devastating explosion” Andy Riches, a safety steward at Newcastle United has set up an online fundraiser in aid of the occupants of one of the homes affected He is friends with the grandfather of a couple with two children who live in one of the flats Residents are being advised to keep windows and doors closed, while motorists are asked to avoid the area as road closures are in place A spokesman for North East Ambulance Service said earlier: “We were called to an incident in the Elswick area of Newcastle at 12.45am today “We dispatched four paramedic crews, four crews from our hazardous area response team (Hart) a duty officer and a tactical adviser to the scene.” Two children among five dead following crash on M6 motorway in Cumbria Teenage girl killed by car in horror east London crash Lucky ticket-holder claims Saturday’s £7.4m Lotto win Give yourself much-needed health and beauty boosts in time for winter A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Shortly before 12.45am today (Wednesday) police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service who are dealing with a fire at an address in the Violet Close area of Newcastle “Emergency services remain in attendance at the scene “Road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area and motorists and residents are advised to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows closed if they see and smell smoke.” Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service tweeted in the early hours of the morning: “We currently have several firefighting appliances in attendance at a large-scale incident in Violet Close “Please avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed until further notice.” Firefighters continued to work at the scene using a jet to damp down the house A fire service van marked “search dogs” was parked nearby vehicle recovery workers were taking away several damaged cars on low-loaders A spokesman for Northern Gas Networks said it has engineers on site and is “supporting the emergency services during this ongoing incident” VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin David Beckham extends olive branch to son Brooklyn amid 'family feud' Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from her hospital bed after surgery Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from hospital Councillor Rob Higgins, who represents the Benwell and Scotswood ward on Newcastle City Council was given a tour of the Benwell Dene scheme by its developer The organisations are working in partnership to deliver 146 energy-efficient rental homes at the development on a six-acre site off Delaval Road in the West End of the city Phil Jones, Head of Land and Partnerships for the North East region of Lovell : “We were keen to invite the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to see the work that is taking place at Benwell Dene as this is an important development not only for the ward which Cllr Higgins represents but also for the city as a whole “Providing good quality homes in well thought out neighbourhoods for the rental market allows people to settle in a place they can call home and they can stay for as long as they want to This is exactly what Benwell Dene will offer tenants “People choose to rent for various reasons and that should not mean that they have to compromise on quality The homes at Benwell Dene will feature spacious layouts and high specifications with a variety of designs to suit people with different needs and budgets “The visit also provided an opportunity to tell Cllr Higgins all about the development’s environmental credentials including the measures we are taking to improve biodiversity on the site each of the homes will have air source heat pumps and solar panels to enable residents to minimise their energy bills and carbon emissions.” “I am excited at the progress being made on this new housing development at Benwell Dene which I was able to visit recently After many years of decline due to the loss of traditional industries the West End of Newcastle is now on the rise and housing developments such as this are such a vital part of these ongoing improvements It will bring new families to the area and our local schools are already beginning to benefit from these changes with rising levels of performance I am particularly excited at the manner in which Placefirst and Lovell have been engaging closely with both the existing community and local Councillors to bring about further improvements to the surrounding natural environment including the historic Hodgkin Park with the added benefits for all and I look forward to further progress on this exciting development in the months ahead.” The homes at Benwell Dene will include 119 two and three-storey houses ranging from two to four-bedroom properties There will be 27 two-bedroom apartments built across nine three-storey buildings Work is expected to finish in June 2027 and the homes will be managed by Placefirst “We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to Benwell Dene and share our vision for this new rental community Transforming brownfield sites into thriving neighbourhoods is at the heart of what we do at Placefirst and it was fantastic to showcase the progress being made by Lovell on construction “The development will provide high-quality long-term rental homes that offer security and a strong sense of community – enhancing the already vibrant character of the area and helping to ease housing shortages We look forward to seeing Benwell Dene take shape and to welcoming our first residents.” Placefirst, which develops and operates what is known as single-family housing – detached or semi-detached rental homes – appointed the North East region of Lovell as the contractor to build the homes in June 2024 Placefirst tenants have long-term flexible leases and they are allowed to keep pets in their home They also benefit from having a dedicated resident services manager and a maintenance team on site and website in this browser for the next time I comment The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response who died following an explosion in Benwell (Image: Northumbria Police)Newcastle United fans are being urged to clap for tragic explosion victim Archie York at their team's league cup clash against Arsenal who was killed when a blast ripped through homes on Violet Close in Benwell will be laid to rest on Tuesday as the Toon Army travel to London's Emirates Stadium for the evening game who never got the chance to go to a game himself Hannah Bannon has used Facebook to rally support for the tribute In a post she wrote: "Archie loved Newcastle but sadly never got the chance to go to a game He is being laid to rest on the day we play Arsenal and would love if the fans could maybe do a round applause for him as a tribute to a beautiful little boy taken far too soon "I’m begging every fan who attends this match to come together just before kick off to clap and cheer as loud as you can Let’s give Archie the best Geordie roar possible." Several homes were destroyed in the explosion which also claimed the life of loving dad Jason Laws Archie's funeral will take place at Newcastle's West Road Crematorium at 11.45am on Tuesday In a funeral notice placed in the Chronicle Archie's loved ones said his "life was stolen from him" and described him as a "treasured son" "dearly loved brother" and "dear nephew and cousin" Reece Galbraith has appeared in court charged with two counts of manslaughter and one each of producing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis The 33-year-old, of Rectory Road, in Gateshead is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court next month Three other men also arrested as part of the investigation remain on bail ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device All you need to do is choose which community you want to join click on the link and press 'join community' No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team We also treat our community members to special offers To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group' If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community Join our Court & Crime community Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community Join our Northumberland community Join our County Durham community Join our Sunderland community Join our NUFC community Join our SAFC community Join our Great North Run community Mind the Gap: Sign the Place North Viability Gap Campaign will use solar panel technology to help reduce residents' utility bills The development will consist of 146 new energy-efficient homes in Benwell Dene which will all be available for long-term rent Lovell has partnered with single-family rental developer and operator Placefirst on the project JM Architects and Southern Green designed the neighbourhood and other key members of the project team include civil and structural engineers Curtins project managers and planning consultants Identity Consult The site is located at Benwell Dene in the west end of the city and the homes will include two and three-storey houses with two to four-bedroom designs There will also be 27 two-bedroom apartments across nine three-storey buildings In terms of sustainability and community living each of the homes will have air source heat pumps and solar panels and the layout of the development includes green spaces for residents head of land and partnerships for the North East region of Lovell said: “Many people seek to rent rather than purchase their home tenants can enjoy a high-quality property with nearby green open space flexible leases so tenants can have confidence that their homes will be theirs for as long they want “The Benwell Dene site has stood vacant for many years but now we are turning it into a much-needed neighbourhood of high-quality rental homes Seeing construction work begin here is highly positive for the local area.” said: “After working closely with Newcastle City Council to secure prime brownfield land and gain planning consent today’s milestone will see us deliver 146 new homes that are tailored to the specific needs of the area.” The homes will be built on land bounded by Upper Hodgkin Park Read our comments policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" The housebuilder has purchased two separate parcels of land previously occupied by Northgate Hospital and plans to start construction work on 141 homes shortly Plans for 96 houses from Bellway and 230 from Avant Homes have been approved by Darlington Council Register for free North East property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Stay updated on the latest news and views in North East property views and opportunities in North East property By subscribing, you are agreeing to Place Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" pleaded guilty to manslaughter in blast from gas canisters used to make cannabis sweets A huge house explosion that killed two people including a seven-year-old boy was the result of a dangerous and criminal drug lab making cannabis gummy sweets using 100 gas canisters Details of the causes of the blast in the Benwell area of Newcastle can now be reported after Reece Galbraith, 33, pleaded guilty on Thursday to the manslaughter of two people. Archie York, seven, and Jason Laws, 35, died in the explosion in the early hours of 16 October last year. The blast completely destroyed one property and made neighbouring houses uninhabitable. Galbraith had previously denied manslaughter and was due to go on trial next month but appeared at Newcastle crown court via a prison video link to change his pleas to guilty on Thursday. Northumbria police said its investigations had revealed that Galbraith and his friend Laws were using the property as a drug lab to produce cannabis concentrates, known as “shatter” or “butane honey oil”. This in turn was used to create cannabis edibles, or “gummies”. Archie and his family were asleep in the premises directly above where the “highly dangerous” extraction process was taking place, police said. Det Ch Insp Katie Smith, who led the investigation, said Archie had his whole life before him, describing it as an “unimaginable tragedy”. She added: “The process of creating cannabis shatter and other drugs in this way is exceptionally dangerous. The truly devastating impact of this case should be enough to make anyone doing this think again.” At a previous magistrates court hearing, prosecutors said police had stopped Galbraith’s car in April last year and found drugs. His home was searched and moulds to make cannabis sweets were discovered. He was released pending further investigation. Analysis of his mobile phone showed 80 text messages relating to the sale of cannabis sweets. Claire Armstrong, representing the prosecution at the magistrates court hearing, said the explosion on 16 October was caused by butane gas that was in the property to process drugs. “Following the explosion, 100 butane canisters were found,” she said. Free daily newsletterOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters Judge Paul Sloan KC, who remanded Galbraith in custody after he pleaded guilty, told the defendant: “As you will be aware, you face a significant, immediate custodial sentence.” Galbraith, of Gateshead, was badly injured in the blast and his solicitor said at a previous hearing that he had been lucky to survive. He will be sentenced on 14 May by Mr Justice Cotter after a report has been prepared. Galbraith has also admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024. Police said they were keen to hear from anyone who becomes aware of people buying, taking delivery of or being in possession of multiple butane canisters or propane bottles. A seven-year-old boy who died in an explosion in Newcastle which claimed the life of one other has been named locally Archie York is understood to have died at the scene of the blast which happened in Violet Close shortly before 12:45am on Wednesday (16 October) He has been described by his family on social media as "the most beautiful Northumbria Police confirmed on Thursday that a body was found later on Wednesday in the debris by emergency crews Formal identification for both the boy and man is yet to take place is fundraising to support Archie York's family Speaking to ITV he said: "They were in such a state when I left them broken is probably the best way to describe it "I just needed to do something you know First and foremost would be towards the funeral Secondly is the total devastation of the house there's absolutely nothing left." said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the two people who have tragically lost their lives “Specialist officers are supporting their loved-ones and we would urge everyone to respect their privacy at this time.” Police said all but one have now been discharged is described as being in a critical but stable condition The force said there are no reports of missing people related to the incident The investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing with cordons expected to be in place for some time Supt Adams said: “We are working with our partners as our investigation continues For a number of reasons this is complex and time consuming not least due to the level of damage which has been caused we would ask people not to speculate about what has happened both online and within the community “As we have previously made clear and I would reiterate now we are committed to providing answers to what has happened “I would like to thank the community for their continued support and cooperation at this incredibly tragic time.” Police are being supported by colleagues from a range of agencies including Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service In a statement the fire service said: "Northern Gas Networks engineers will remain on site at Violet Close in Newcastle supporting the emergency services with their ongoing investigations "We would like to express our deepest sympathies to all those affected Our thoughts are with the families and the local community at this time "Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999." A number of of residents have been evacuated and are being supported by Newcastle City Council while emergency services are dealing with the incident said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that a man has tragically lost his life following yesterday’s incident at Violet Close "Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all those affected by this heart-breaking news It is devastating that two people have lost their lives and our thoughts remain firmly with their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time “Our immediate focus is on supporting the residents who have been displaced from their homes Our housing officers have ensured that everyone has a safe place to stay while investigations continue and we will remain committed to helping those impacted by this tragic event "Some residents have found accommodation with friends and family while others are in temporary hotel accommodation as we work to secure suitable long-term options “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the emergency services for their tireless efforts at the scene and to the local community for their support during this difficult time “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority and we will continue to provide any necessary assistance for as long as it’s needed.” Flowers are among tributes to have been left near to the scene of the blast set up a GoFundMe for the people involved in the explosion He said: “I woke up this morning to some absolutely terrible news and I just feel like there’s something that to pull together and help a local family out that obviously have just lost absolutely everything.” who lives about four miles away and “actually felt the vibration” of the explosion does not know anyone involved but felt compelled to help It’s especially being so close to home and when you feel helpless I guess you round up what you can for who you can Anyone with information which might assist the investigation should do so via Northumbria Police's public portal here who died following an explosion in Benwell (Image: Northumbria Police)Tragic Benwell explosion victim Archie York is to be laid to rest with a Marvel-themed funeral The seven-year-old was killed when a huge blast ripped through homes on Violet Close in Benwell who was a pupil at Benwell's Bridgewater Primary School The youngster's family have asked mourners to wear an item of red His funeral will take place at Newcastle's West Road Crematorium at 11.45am on January 7 Donations for the Royal Victoria Infirmary's Children's Charity can be made at the service The notice says: "Friends please meet at the crematorium. Could mourners please wear an item of red, blue or green clothing or if possible something Marvel comic related donations if desired to Children's Charity at the RVI A donation box will be available at the crematorium." Loving dad Jason Laws, 35, was also killed in the explosion which happened during the early hours of October 16 The 33-year-old, of Rectory Road, in Gateshead, is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court next month. Three other men also arrested as part of the investigation remain on bail. Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radionewcastlenewsMan admits manslaughter after Benwell explosionViolet close NewcastleAuthor: Micky WelchPublished 3rd Apr 2025Last updated 3rd Apr 2025A man has admitted killing two people – including a seven-year-old boy – in an explosion in Newcastle Reece Galbraith appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today (Thursday) where he pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and being concerned in the supply of cannabis Shortly before 12.45am on October 16 last year seven-year-old Archie York died at the scene was arrested in December and subsequently charged He has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at the same court next month investigators from Northumbria Police worked with a range of partners to establish what had happened It was through these enquiries it became clear a drugs lab to produce cannabis concentrates – known as ‘shatter’ or ‘butane honey oil’ – was being operated inside an address used by Galbraith and Jason Laws This in turn was then used to create cannabis edibles – also referred to as ‘gummies’ representing the prosecution during the magistrates' court hearing said the explosion on October 16 was caused by butane gas that was in the property to process drugs 100 butane cannisters were found," she said She said Galbraith's fingerprints were present on items recovered from the destroyed flat which the prosecution described as a "drug lab" defending at the magistrates' court hearing said Galbraith had been in regular work in construction until the age of 31 Mr Gibson said: "He was lucky not to be killed in the explosion "He was placed in an induced coma for a week and in hospital for a month receiving treatment "He doesn't have full use of his arms due to burns “The tireless work of all involved left Reece Galbraith with little choice but to plead guilty to all charges in the face of overwhelming evidence.” “We would also urge anyone who has any information about the production of drugs to come forward so we can take action – you could save someone’s life.” That address had been the site of an illegal operation producing a highly concentrated form of cannabis at what must remain an incredibly difficult time for them.” Northumbria Police are keen to hear from anyone who becomes aware of people buying taking delivery of or being in possession of multiple butane cannisters propane bottles or unusual looking stainless-steel equipment If you know of any suspected drug activity in your area you are asked to contact the Force so they can act upon the information Anyone with information on suspected drug criminality can send a direct message to Northumbria Police on social media use the live chat option on their website or use the report forms First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. injured six others and reduced homes to rubble A seven-year-old boy has died in a house explosion in Newcastle which injured six others and destroyed several homes Northumbria Police are investigating the blast which happened in Violet Close The force has confirmed a seven-year-old boy died at the scene while six other people - including one child - were taken to hospital with "varying injuries" A number of people have also been evacuated from their homes Superintendent Adams said it had been a “truly devastating outcome” He said: "I have no doubt that the community of Elswick and Benwell and our wider our region will want to join me in extending their thoughts condolences to family and friends "The loss and pain they must suffering is unimaginable The boy's loved ones are being supported by specially trained officers." Mobile phone footage from Baban Muhammad Saeid shows the fire at its height Nearby neighbour Anthony Usher told ITV Tyne Tees how he desperately tried to save his friend's family in the immediate aftermath of the blast he said it was "like a bomb went off" adding: "About 20 past one in the morning "Obviously I came running out of the front door along to my friend's house and I've seen his house just total rubble and I was just screaming for him Superintendent Darren Adams speaks at the scene of the blast "I seen my friend pop out and obviously his partner was still stuck in the rubble with the new born and obviously I managed to pull her out with the new born trying to dig through the rubble really but the flames the flames and all the rubble was everywhere he said: "It's gonna take us a long time to get over it." from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were called to the street at 12.42am on Wednesday She said crews attended within five minutes and she confirmed that all the fires are now out Ms McVay said eight fire engines were at the incident including the urban search and rescue team our priority continues to be the ongoing search of the premises and to ensure the safety of nearby residents Drone pictures from above the street showed the extent of the damage Six flats are badly affected with two flats bearing the brunt of the explosion Northumbria Police said officers and other emergency services will remain at the scene while road closures are in place on Buddle Road and the surrounding area Motorists and residents were advised to avoid the area and to keep doors and windows closed if they see and smell smoke Homes around the area were evacuated and a local community centre opened to take people in through the night Among those helping out was a retired nurse who told ITV Tyne Tees: "I just grabbed some blankets...picked up some first-aid kits thinking some people might need some help." Emergency services said their main priority on Wednesday was to make sure there was nobody else inside any of the properties and to ensure the safety of neighbouring homes Bulldozers were moving in on Wednesday night to begin to clear the debris Anyone with information which might assist the investigation should do so via Northumbria Police's public portal here. Rayohits radionewcastlenewsInvestigation launched into Benwell house explosionSix people were taken to hospital after the incident on a residential street in the early hours of Wednesday morning A Newcastle vicar says the community where a devastating blast killed a young boy and left other people homeless has rallied around to offer support Meanwhile emergency services are beginning an investigation into the cause of the blast which happened in the early hours of this morning said: “This is a truly devastating incident in which a young boy has tragically died “I have no doubt that the people of Benwell and our wider region will want to join me in extending their thoughts and sincere condolences to his family and friends “The loss and pain they are suffering is unimaginable “The boy’s loved-ones are being supported by specialist officers and we would ask that their privacy be respected at this time.” six people were taken to hospital with varying degrees of injuries A number of people were evacuated and are being supported by Newcastle City Council Supt Adams said: “In the coming hours and days we will continue to piece together what has happened so we can provide answers to the family of the boy who has sadly died and the wider community “We would like to thank all those living in the area for their ongoing support and cooperation “It is likely the cordon will remain in place for some time as we carry out our investigations “This is an incredibly tragic incident and I would like to thank all partners – including our blue light colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue and North East Ambulance Service – who alongside ourselves have been met with extremely challenging circumstances.” had to leave following a huge explosion and fire just before 1am which sparked a major emergency services response Police confirmed around 12 hours later that a seven-year-old boy had died at the scene and six other people needed hospital treatment was helping out at a local community centre He said: "It opened up immediately and it has provided people with a warm space for the families who have been evacuated and who are in shock about what happened "There have been lots of donations for people including baby stuff as there are quite a lot of (young) families "The council has been busy sorting out hotel rooms for people they have been up all night and it has been tough but there has also been a wonderful response "It shows the importance of having community spaces right where people live "People are just starting to talk - nobody can prepare mentally or spiritually for something like that now they are all on their way to hotels or to stay with friends and family and grabbed their pets and their children and that's it "Over the coming days they will need support and some love and care." The vicar said St James's Church in Benwell Lane will be open for prayers and candles will be lit for the little boy who died “My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the young boy who has lost his life in the tragic fire incident which has taken place in Benwell This is sad beyond words for the whole community "My thoughts remain with those taken to hospital and all the residents impacted by this devastating fire I also want to give thanks to our emergency services and partners who bravely attended the scene to rescue "We stand with the people of Benwell at this difficult time.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898)