GS15
Vigo and Portmeads
Location Plan
VIA area
Character Description
The area is dominated by a mix of 1970/80s housing and Portobello Industrial Estate to the
North East. Further west the secondary school and adjoining playing fields and golf course
form a green buffer between Birtley Town Centre and Durham Road. The majority of residential
properties date between 1960 and 1980 although there is a small pocket of pre 1919 terraced
housing on Chapel Row. To the south of the VIA the properties are generally two storey semi
detached units arranged in a series of small perimeter blocks with parking in curtilage to the
side of properties. The urban grain is generally ‘tight suburban’ in character with fairly wide
frontages to some units and generous gardens. Further north the housing beyond Birtley Lane
is predominantly 3 storey orientated to take advantage of the views westwards. These 3 storey
terraced blocks are set within an open grassed landscape. Vigo House on the corner of Vigo
Lane is a notable and attractive two storey stone building surrounded by mature trees and a
high stonewall. A similar property on Birtley Lane provides an important landmark, which has
now fallen into disrepair. Portobello Industrial Estate is a relatively non-descript industrial area
containing various utilitarian grey sheds.
The school building (Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School) on the north Western edge
of the VIA is an important community facility and landmark within the area. This school has
been redeveloped as part of the BSF programme. There is a small area of woodland / scrubland
between the school playing fields and houses to the east on Springfell.
There are generally few notable landmarks within the area other than Vigo House. From Fell
Bank and Portmeads road there are attractive views westwards prominent landmarks outside
the area include various industrial units on the industrial area adjacent to Durham Road. The
countryside and hills around Ouston and Pelton provide attractive long distance views. Due
to the sloping topography of the area (east to west) there are few views or landmarks looking
east. The A1 (M) is an important physical barrier to the east although it is visually screened
from Portobello Road by a narrow strip of grassland and tree belt.
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Predominantly residential / roads/ industrial area
Possibly limited scope further development other than small infill development
Some land within industrial estate for future development
School playing fields to the west
Good views westwards of open countryside
Land use plan
Theme
Results
Land use
Residential
Notes
Residential
- c.95% of the housing is twenty-first century
- poor, average
- (1850-1875), 1875-1900, (1900-1914), 1914-1960, (1960-1980); 1980-2004
Industrial
Open space
- open green spaces, gardens, bit mac, verges, incidental, derelict/vacant, road junctions
Topography
Urban Grain
Theme
Results
Notes
Topography
Form
Gentle slope
Gentle slope from Durham Road up towards A1
Urban Form
Grain
Medium - coarse
Scale
Small
Sense of Place
(weak to) average
Image
Suburban
The majority of residential properties are 2 storey brick blocks with grey concrete tiles.
In the southern part of the VIA properties have been arranged around a series of linear cul de sacs. Further northwards these blocks are positioned on a north south axis.
The idustrial estate to the north contains a number of large blocks. There is a mix of
single, two and three storey residential blocks although the two storey blocks are
predominant. The relatively bland and uniform appearance of residential units does
not reinforce a strong sense of place. The area can be classified as a typical suburban
environment.
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Vigo and Portmeads
Townscape
Theme
Results
Notes
Landmarks in Area
Main physical landmark is Lord Lawson Beamish Community School,
Vigo House and on Birtley Lane.
Main physical landmarks are Lord Lawson Beamish Community School, Vigo House
and Leafield House on Birtley Lane.
Views in Area
Contained
Linear views along Portobello Road.
Limited views within the area
Screened views of the industrial estate
Heritage
weak
Vigo House and Leafield are the only examples of historically important properties.
Heritage
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Vigo and Portmeads
Theme
Results
Notes
Access Networks
Distributor
The AIM to the west is an important vehicular route. Portobello Road provides vehicular access to the Motorway and is important distributor road. The majority of other
roads are residential cul de sacs other than Birtley Lane and fell bank which provide
east west connections.
Movement
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GS15
Vigo and Portmeads
Character Areas
Character Areas - Legend
1. Lord Lawson of Beamish
3
2. Portobello Way
3. Portobello Ind Estate
1
4. Portobello South
2
4
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GS15
Vigo and Portmeads
Colours / Materials / Details
Strengths
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Well maintained properties
Proximity to A1M
Views out of area
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Opportunities
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Weaknesses
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Quality of housing stock
Unsightly industrial area
Homogenous housing lacking in character or distinctiveness
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Key gateway adjacent to A1M
Improvements to existing stock
Retro fit CO2 reduction measures
Limited infill development
Threats
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Lack of demand for housing
Over reliance on private car as means of transport
Inappropriate alterations
Poor quality development on key gateways (Portobello Ind
Estate)
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