Plans have been unveiled for a 14-storey development on Newcastle’s Quayside that would include flats, shops, restaurants and a pocket park.
The multimillion-pound scheme would see the creation of 291 apartments in a new building at Quayside 12, next to St Ann’s Quay, the last remaining empty parcel of land in the East Quayside area.
A number of previous attempts to develop the plot have failed, with opponents saying that large blocks on the plot would separate the historic St Ann’s Church, on City Road, from its long-established links to the Tyne and Newcastle’s maritime industries.
The new plan is being brought forward by construction firm Robertson and landlord Packaged Living on land owned by Homes England.
The developers want to create the development to offer studio, one, two and three-bedroom homes to rent on long-term tenancies to local people, including professionals, young families and downsizers.
The development team has appointed the Newcastle office of national planning and development consultancy Lichfields to take forward the planning proposals with Newcastle City Council and, if approved, it will mark the end of the 30-year redevelopment project.
Ahead of submitting the planning application, the team wants to hear views of locals on the proposals and is hosting a public consultation event on January 7.
Harvey Emms, senior director at Lichfields, says the developers are seeking planning permission for 291 apartments, with ground-floor commercial uses such as retail and restaurants, plus a new pocket park on City Road.
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He said: “This is the last remaining parcel of land at Quayside East and will complete the exciting vision for the area first conceived for by leading Newcastle architect Sir Terry Farrell 30 years ago.
“It is a sustainable residential location with good transport links and access to local services.”
The site has been the subject of two previous planning applications over the last 20 years.
Back in 2002 former development agency One NorthEast selected AWG Developments to create a £60m mixed-use scheme at the site.
The company was granted permission to build 100,000sq ft of offices, a 13-storey block of apartments, restaurant and a 234-space multi-storey car park the following year, but failed to make progress on the scheme.
The plot of land was set to go back on the market after the agency tore up the agreement with the developer – for failing to progress the scheme within the agreed timescale – but it has lain empty ever since.
Fresh attempts to develop the land were made in 2016, when Newcastle’s Adderstone Group explored options to create a luxury, glass-fronted apartment scheme on the site.
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The firm looked at creating a stepped building comprising five towers, with 124 glass-fronted apartments, and submitted revised plans in 2017, but it later withdrew its application.
Members of the project team leading the new scheme will be available to discuss the proposals and answer any questions at the drop-in event, at St Ann’s Church, Breamish Street, Newcastle, on January 7, between 2pm and 7pm.