Documents which could pave the way for a host of developments spanning 100 acres at the Port of Tyne have been submitted.
Newcastle-based Fairhurst Group has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on behalf of port bosses for a proposed hub which could house a range of uses from industrial and commercial customers and those involved in advanced manufacturing and the renewables sector.
The site cover four land zones – a total of 107.5 acres – including some maritime space, on land north of the River Tyne next to the Royal Quays in North Tyneside. Regulations require that, before consent is granted for certain types of development, an EIA must be carried out to identify any likely significant effects of the development.
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The 58-page report details how the proposed development being brought forward comprises a series of land preparation works for a mix of industrial and commercial development. It comes ahead of a planning application being made for the land side of the developments, while the Quay works and dredging will be covered by a marine licence.
The document says: “This approach is designed to enable the applicant to initiate ground improvement works throughout the site while simultaneously securing the principle of development, even in the absence of an identified end user or project.”
It means that the site can be made market-ready more quickly, cutting the time it takes for companies to launch their operations, which could act as a significant incentive for prospective developers and investors. The four zones offer different opportunities, with zone 1 covering around 52 acres of undeveloped, former industrial land and zone 2 spanning six acres, including the recently demolished Soccerdome site, adjacent to Newcastle Quays Shopping Centre.
Meanwhile zone 3 has around five acres previously occupied by the former Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park, which has recently been demolished, and a car park that is currently fenced off from public access. Finally zone 4 has around 44.5 acres which is home to a number of commercial operations, including a bulk aggregates business, a chemicals company, a vehicle import, storage, and distribution entity, and both developed and undeveloped quaysides situated to the south of the site.
The report says: “The Port of Tyne are looking to develop this area of the site to replace the existing facilities associated with the Ocean Berth, Tyne Tanker Berth and Whitehill Point, and expand its offering to the offshore renewables industry. It is generally considered that the environmental capacity of this location to accommodate the proposed works is high. The land at the Port of Tyne is highly developable due to its strategic location, diverse existing and surrounding infrastructure, and significant potential for varied future uses.
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“The site offers a substantial area of undeveloped and partially developed land that can support industrial and commercial projects. Its proximity to marine facilities, quaysides, and transportation networks enhances its attractiveness for large-scale development, particularly to support offshore wind and renewable energy projects.
“This proactive approach ensures that development can proceed in a sustainable manner, directly aligning with the (local plan) policy’s objective of providing adequate infrastructure. Additionally, the preparation of the site helps to promote the long-term wellbeing of future residents. Advancing the site toward development readiness also demonstrates a clear commitment to delivering the Local Plan’s strategic vision for sustainable growth in North Tyneside.”
The move comes two months after the Port of Tyne announced the £150m Tyne Clean Energy Park scheme, which it hopes could create thousands of jobs and put the North East at the centre of the green energy sector.