Over the last decade many former industrial sites along the river have been successfully redeveloped for housing, increasing choice for residents, improving the environment and reconnecting communities with the waterfront. Dunston in particular has seen hundreds of new homes constructed at Staiths South Bank and Riverside Park.
The Dunston Riverside site is adjacent to Riverside Park and is primarily industrial, but also includes residential properties and The Royal Hotel public house. It is allocated for residential development in Gateshead's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) as site H3.65.
As a response to developer interest in the site the Council appointed consultants in 2004 to undertake a study of the Dunston Riverside area to identify options for redevelopment and produce a development strategy. Subsequent to this the Council produced an Interim Policy Advice document (IPA 18) to provide detailed guidance and information to assist in the redevelopment of the Dunston Riverside housing site.
The aim of IPA 18 is to ensure the comprehensive redevelopment of the Dunston Riverside site to enable the provision of a sustainable and mixed residential community, connect Dunston to the river and enhance the A1114 as a major gateway into Gateshead.
This IPA should be considered in conjunction with the relevant policies, supporting text and appendices of the Council's adopted Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and any relevant Interim Policy Advice.
Dunston Riverside – Interim Policy Advice 18 was adopted by the Council on the 19th July 2007. It was prepared within the context of the relevant UDP policies andin consultation with the public and therefore is accorded considerable weight as a statement of the Council's policy,and should be taken into account as a material considerationin the determination of planning applications.