UK’S BIGGEST REGENERATION PROJECT REVEALED
One of the UK’s biggest residential housing renewal projects will be revealed today - Friday November 21 - at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead at 12noon.
A transformation plan that could be worth £1bn will be unveiled, setting out a 15 to 20 year vision to revitalise and regenerate Gateshead. It is thought to be the biggest scheme of its type in the country outside London.
Gateshead Council leader, Councillor Mick Henry, along with chief executive, Roger Kelly, will outline the plans and vision at today’s special lunch event starting at 12noon.
They will announce that the council is seeking a developer or consortium to step forward as a joint venture partner to help deliver the vision.
The intention is to not only revitalise the housing stock and market in the borough but also to improve and regenerate neighbourhoods and green spaces in Gateshead. More than 70 hectares of land will be redeveloped over about 19 sites, creating 3,000 new homes. The sites range in size from half hectare up to 12 hectares and consist of a mix of greenfield and brownfield sites.
Designer Wayne Hemingway, who has been involved in the Staiths housing project by the riverside, is backing the transformation and says: “If you do good design and work together as a team with a dynamic local authority then you can create real added value and imaginative environments and that’s what’s already happening in the area - from the Staiths to the fabulous cultural projects around Gateshead.”
The transformation will take part mostly in the Bridging NewcastleGateshead pathfinder area. However, a number of sites located in outlying areas will also be included. The majority of sites included are within council ownership and include a number of key flagship sites that are considered to be tremendously attractive.
There are also commercial opportunities and plans to regenerate neighbourhood centres, community facilities and green spaces.
Councillor Mick Henry, the leader of Gateshead Council said: “Gateshead is embarking on one of the biggest housing market renewal programmes in the UK. It’s an exciting and challenging time for us. This isn’t just about numbers, as we’re searching for joint venture partners to work with us on revitalising the housing market, and improving and regenerating neighbourhoods across Gateshead. We’ve already built a successful reputation on our imaginative and groundbreaking approach to regeneration. We hope that the event will inspire developers to come on board and help us to realise Gateshead’s big vision.”
Gateshead Council’s announcement reflects growing levels of interest and activity in the area’s development. Earlier this year, energy giant nPower announced their intention to take over 100,000 sq ft of office space in three new high-spec building at Gateshead’s Baltic Business Quarter and Gateshead College launched a new £39million campus.
The procurement process is set to take about 22 months and the Council is committed to making this as simple and cost-effective for partners as possible in the first two stages.
For further information, go to www.big-gateshead.co.uk
Ends
For further information please contact Virginia Lingstadt or Wayne Halton at MHW PR on 0191 233 1300 or via Virginia@mhwpr.co.uk
Issued by MHW PR on behalf of Gateshead Council
Notes to editor:
The £1billion joint venture development includes other major projects in Gateshead such as the town centre redevelopment, the £300million Baltic Business Quarter and other Quayside developments.