The regeneration of a brownfield site in a prime location on the banks of the River Tyne has received a £5 million funding boost from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.
The Forth Yards site, situated to the west of the city near the Utilita Arena, has been earmarked for development for years. However, viability challenges, access constraints and infrastructure requirements have prevented the private sector from bringing it forward.
North East Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council, Network Rail and Homes England have been working collaboratively to drive forward the transformational regeneration of Forth Yards.
Now North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the Combined Authority Cabinet have agreed £5 million earmarked for the site in the recent trailblazer devolution deal.
The funding will allow preparation work on the site to begin and, once complete, the area will deliver thousands of homes, office and commercial space, education and health facilities, and community spaces.
The regeneration will create an appealing gateway, with a new ‘highline’ park providing an iconic new green space and walking and cycling routes.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“I’ve made housing a central pledge of my term in office. We will build homes local people need and create places with shops, green spaces and transport links – not just vast estates where people can’t access the services they need.
“Forth Yards will create a gateway that’s fitting for our great city. As Mayor I will not sit back and let scrub land sit idle when our towns and cities are crying out for a new lease of life.
“I will drive forward the transformation our region needs – so we go from brownfield to beautiful; from empty to thriving; and create communities where people flourish.“
Cllr Nick Kemp, Cabinet Member for Economy and Leader of Newcastle City Council, said:
“As the city council we have long identified this former industrial site as a hidden gem that could one day shine brightly on the banks of the River Tyne.
“This is a prime location on the banks of the River Tyne and is a site that welcomes you into the city when you travel in by train.
“We have been trying to drive investment in the area for some time and the purchase of Quayside West in February was a key step.
“We are delighted that Mayor McGuinness has now been able to support the site with further investment so we can deliver on our shared ambition to build more sustainable homes and create growth in our region’s economy.”
In February, Homes England announced they had purchased Quayside West, the largest plot of land on Forth Yards, in a bid to kickstart the development by bringing the site into the public sector.
Newcastle City Council, North East Combined Authority, Homes England and Network Rail will continue to work collaboratively to drive forward the transformational regeneration of Forth Yards, ensuring a cohesive, comprehensive approach to the whole area rather than piecemeal interventions.