It's one of Tyneside's most exclusive suburbs, with leafy streets lined by elegant houses, a bustling shopping centre and a famous beauty spot.

But people living in Jesmond, on the edge of Newcastle city centre, are becoming increasingly concerned about the changing character of their popular residential area.

Families are starting to move out and increasing numbers of students are moving in as landlords convert more properties into flats and bedsits.

There are growing traffic problems, made worse by commuters who park in Jesmond then catch the Metro or walk into Newcastle.

Trendy bars have sprung up around Osborne Road, turning the area into one of Newcastle's main drinking circuits and leading to complaints about noise and disorder.

And crime has risen as student flats and cars are targeted.

Now council planners, in partnership with residents, traders, community groups, councillors and the police, are taking action to tackle the problems.

A strategy document has been produced which identifies the major issues and contains ideas for action.

The document, which will be presented at a meeting of the council's cabinet on Wednesday, says: "Jesmond has for many years been a pleasant, mature residential area enjoying a good range of shopping and leisure facilities with easy access to the city centre.

"In recent years, however, the area has experienced considerable pressures for development. Residential properties are being altered, often without the need for planning permission, for student accommodation.

"Hotels and bars, mainly on Osborne Road, have started to operate their premises in a significantly different manner, often requiring licensing consent but without the need for planning permission.

"Car ownership has increased, resulting in increased traffic and parking congestion. There has been an increase in reported burglary particularly among student properties.

"All of this has led to distinct changes in the character of parts of the ward. Changes have brought difficulties including traffic congestion and parking problems, crime, noise and disturbance, litter and changes in the quality of life for residents."

The strategy says action is needed to tackle late-night noise and nuisance, regulate and control properties in multiple occupation, sort out traffic problems, improve relations with students, encourage landlords to be more responsible, control new licence applications, boost security and improve the quality of the local environment.

Alan Grant of the Jesmond Residents' Association welcomed the strategy, but said: "It's unrealistic to think it will solve all the problems overnight.

"Residents' concerns include the proliferation of bars and clubs in the Osborne Road area and the number of loft conversions.

"The problems have led to some moving into more family-friendly areas."

Evening Chronicle comment

Page 2: Leafy suburb that always attracted the well-off....

Leafy suburb that always attracted the well-off

For decades, Jesmond has provided a comfortable bolthole from the rigours of city life.

Just a short distance from Tyneside's industrial heartlands the suburb always attracted the well-off.

Drawn by its tree-lined avenues, large houses and its closeness to the Dene it was an area of tranquillity.

In 1883 wealthy industrialist Lord William Armstrong made Jesmond Dene a public park, and this further contributed to the area's popularity.

A housing boom in the 1890s saw most of the southern area being built and by the early 20th Century there was a tram network running up Osborne Road.

The second half of the 20th Century saw shopping centres developed in Acorn Road and Jesmond Road with these areas becoming thriving commercial centres.

Today Jesmond is a mecca for drinkers and one of the most popular places in the city.

A host of bars and hotels have sprung up along Osborne Road making it a thriving party street unrecognisable from that of the past.

Evening Chronicle comment