New long term plan for the heart of Newcastle Gateshead unveiled

Image: courtesy of Newcastle City Council

An ambitious long-term masterplan for the engine room of the North East will unlock billions of pounds of investment, creating new opportunities and jobs for local people and increasing the number of homes in the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead.

Newcastle City Council says:

'The new draft Strategic Regeneration Framework  presents a shared vision for the “urban core” of Newcastle and Gateshead over the next 25 years. 

'Subject to consultation, the framework will transform Tyneside and strengthen economic development in line with local priorities, shaping decision making to deliver on local interests. It includes a number of major projects including Forth Yards, Gateshead Quays and Pilgrim’s Quarter.

'Developed in partnership between the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council, the draft framework will guide future investment and regeneration in line with regional and local priorities, creating confidence for businesses, developers and government to invest in the area. 

'The Newcastle Gateshead Mayoral Development Zone provides the strategic partnership and governance framework through which the Partners will coordinate delivery of the framework.

'The framework recognises Newcastle and Gateshead as the economic, cultural and civic heart of the North East and sets out a shared ambition to build on existing strengths while creating new opportunities for people, communities and businesses. 

'That includes increasing the number of people living in the heart of the urban core to 16,000 by 2050, creating more than 3 million sq ft of additional commercial space, improving connectivity across the River Tyne and helping to drive investment around music, culture and sport.'

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We have amazing areas to live, work and study but now we need to go further. This plan is about creating places with even more great jobs, high-quality social housing, bustling high streets and well-connected neighbourhoods. 

“Modern cities change all the time but as new buildings go up, we must bring forward areas that work for everybody – celebrating our North East heritage while creating places people want to live.”  

Councillor Colin Ferguson, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “We have just agreed a Council Plan with an ambition to make Newcastle the most successful regional capital in the UK. 

“This document demonstrates that this ambition isn’t just words, but rather an ambition backed by opportunity, with a clear, shared vision between us and our partners in Gateshead and the Mayoral Strategic Authority.

“We believe passionately that if Newcastle thrives, the region thrives, and it is important that we look at the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead as a joint opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place.

“The Urban Core is one of our greatest assets. It is where people come to work, learn, enjoy culture, support their football team, start businesses and experience everything that makes our city special. With clear direction and shared purpose, it can become a nationally recognised regeneration success story in the decades to come, with prosperity shared by all.” 

Councillor Nick Allan, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “What we're setting out is a clear, ambitious vision for how Gateshead and Newcastle can build on our distinctive strengths to supercharge growth, deliver the homes we need, attract investment and create opportunities for generations to come.

"By strengthening the heart of our region, we can ensure the benefits of growth are felt well beyond the banks of the Tyne.

"But for me, we'll know this has worked when Gateshead residents can see and feel the difference, whether that's through better jobs, better homes, or greater opportunities for themselves and their families."

Newcastle City Council continues:

'The Newcastle Gateshead Urban Core already supports around 118,000 jobs but is currently home to only around 32,000 residents in approximately 10,000 homes, including about 18,500 students. The SRF sets out bold plans to double the number of residents in the urban core with thousands of new homes and improved infrastructure for local people. 

'The area attracts approximately 17.5 million visitors a year, generating around £2.47 billion in visitor expenditure, and the new SRF identifies opportunities around sport, music, culture, academia and growth industries that could turbocharge growth.

'Eight key opportunity areas across Newcastle and Gateshead have been identified in the proposed SRF, forming the spatial framework for homes, jobs, investment, culture, transport and infrastructure over the next 25 years.

'The document will be presented by the respective Cabinet meetings at Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority prior to a period of public consultation.'