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It’s been called many things but now the Byker Wall has been judged the best neighbourhood in the country at a top awards ceremony.

The Grade II*-listed estate won the Great Neighbourhood Award from the Academy of Urbanism, beating off competition from fellow finalists Smithfield, in Dublin, and Golden Lane Estate in the City of London.

The estate consists of the Byker Wall - a block of 628 flats and maisonettes can be spotted across Tyneside, work to build Ralph Erskine’s once controversial, and now iconic, design started in 1968 with the final sections being completed in 1982. and a number of other homes.

Managed by the Byker Community Trust (BCT) housing association, it was the only area in the North East to be shortlisted in this year’s awards.

The Academy, a network of built environment experts from across Europe, sent a team of experts to assess the site in August and write a report for the Academy to cast its final vote.

(Image: Byker Community Trust)

Jill Haley, chief executive of the Byker Community Trust, who collected the award, said: “On behalf of Byker, the city of Newcastle and the North East community, I am delighted to accept this award from the Academy.

“This is credit to everybody involved, especially the BCT staff, Board and residents in helping to transform Byker over the last five years into a place where people aspire to live and work.

“Since July 2012, BCT has made significant improvements on the Estate. To date, we have invested £20.5m worth of improvements with a further £21m committed by 2025. However, this is not just about investment in the bricks and mortar, Byker is a Great Neighbourhood where vibrant mixed communities exist and it is steeped in history, something which we are keen to preserve and celebrate.

“It’s already becoming a popular place to live and now it has beaten off strong competition from other great neighbourhoods in Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin and London.”

The assessment team said: “the exemplary regeneration by BCT has been led by the improvement of social and housing conditions rather than starting with the more straightforward environmental improvements that would have provided some quick but superficial wins.

“This is a good example of estate management that deals with the harder issues first.”

Councillor Nick Kemp, Newcastle Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods and regulatory services, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Byker has won this award, especially in a year when the Academy of Urbanism is focusing on places that have been rebuilt since 1945 to transform themselves into sustainable communities.

“As a councillor in Byker it is not surprise that the area has been recognised as a great place to live and this award is a tribute to the fantastic hard work and commitment of all those involved in the revitalisation of the area.”

Academy chair David Rudlin said: “Regeneration has become a dirty word but here we have the proof that when done well, with the right approach and by the right people, it can transform a neighbourhood.

“Built on a strong relationship between tenants and the Byker Community Trust, this neighbourhood has been transformed into a great place to live for a very socially, culturally and demographically diverse community. Design has played an important role, but the most important element has been this empowered form of governance through the involvement of residents.”