Member Article

New development boost for central Gateshead

Gateshead Council is teaming up with Northumbria University as part of one of the biggest regeneration schemes in the country.

The partnership will see the construction of brand new dedicated student accommodation in the town centre, which will house almost 1,000 university students. Spenhill, who will complete the work, received planning permission from Gateshead Councils’ Planning and development committee for the £150 million development last year.

The project is due to open in 2014, and is especially important for Gateshead, as it is one of the few town centre projects progressing in the current economic climate.

Northumbria University’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Andrew Wathley said: “This is a very exciting project for the University. Partnership working of this kind marks the contribution a university can make to the economic, cultural and social well-being of an area.”

The accommodation complex will replace the famous ‘get Carter’ car park on the Gateshead skyline. It will also be near to planned urban and retail amenities, as well as the attractions on Gateshead Quays and the centre of Newcastle.

Spenhill’s development manager Graham Haydon-White said: “Spenhill is delighted to be investing in this accommodation for Northumbria University.

“It will significantly add to the vibrancy of the town centre, as well as bringing a major boost to the economy of Gateshead. We believe that Trinity Square will act as a catalyst for future growth and employment in the area.”

It is now hoped that this development will bring certainty to the future of the city centre, which has been under discussion for many years.

Leader of Gateshead Council, Mick Henry said: “This is exactly what local residents have been asking for and its exactly what will bring further investor confidence, civic pride and a greater boost to the local economy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .