One of Tyneside's most notorious housing estates, Noble Street flats in Newcastle's West End, was in the news 45 years ago.
It was 1977, and the estate which had developed a reputation over its 20-year existence as a haven for crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour was being recommended for demolition by Newcastle's director of housing, Mr John Gray. In his view, bulldozing the "infamous housing ghetto was the only conclusion possible," it was reported.
Councillors could not agree on the immediate demolition of 434 homes in Noble Street - and nearby Norwich Place - and the estate received a temporary stay of execution, but by the end of the following year the place would be razed to the ground.
