Gateshead Council’s Planning and Development Committee granted planning approval to the Design Centre North development, which is to be built on a site next to the new Open University regional headquarters building at Baltic Business Quarter.

The proposal is for a five storey office building with two separate wings – one housing the regional development agency One NorthEast’s ‘Design Centre for the North’, and the other offering high-quality commercial office and studio space.

The building will also have a distinctive and high quality design, and will include an oval shaped pod on the roof of the building which will house a meeting area.

In a detailed report to Gateshead’s Planning and Development Committee, councillors were told: “This proposal represents the latest development of the Baltic Business Quarter and forms a key building within the area.

“The high quality of design required in the location of the site is reflected in the proposed scheme and will inspire confidence in the area especially for the future development of the Baltic Business Quarter.

“The development of this building will be another key landmark in the development of this prestigious business location and provide employment and economic confidence in the area to help stimulate the future build out of further buildings and phases.”

Planning approval was granted by Gateshead Council’s Planning and Development Committee at their meeting last week (25 February 2009) at Gateshead Civic Centre.