One of the first steps in the regeneration of Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley has been taken with the start of work on the Ouseburn Farm Environmental Training and Education Centre by contractor Kendall Cross Holdings. The pounds 750,000 project will involve the construction of a two-storey, timber-framed building which will encompass the existing Eco Centre. Malcolm Newton, of Ryton-based Newton Architects, has designed the 525sqm structure to be as environmentally friendly as possible. The scheme includes blown recycled paper insulation, rain water recycled for toilet flushing and both solar and photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate hot water and electricity.

Recognised as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution on Tyneside, the Ouseburn Valley Development is now a vibrant place to live, work and play with a strong sense of community and an infectious enthusiasm. Thanks to imaginative, culture-driven regeneration projects, the Valley is home to artists, musicians, a myriad of creative businesses and several of the region's top visitor attractions.

This steep Valley was once crossed by Hadrian's Wall when built in AD122. In the 1400's, water-powered mills were established on the fast flowing Ouseburn river, and the Valley's life as place of work began.

Today, the river is spanned by several bridges and dominated by a number of historic warehouses and mills that have been reinvented as a home for many new businesses.