Gateshead Regeneration Plan

This document provides the framework for Regeneration, detailing Gateshead's unique assets, strategic location, existing and planned infrastructure, huge sites de-risked and ready for development, and a commitment to enabling all residents to thrive and provide a pathway to a net-zero lifestyle.  

Our approach will balance short term efforts to instil Pride in Place and create meanwhile uses to benefit residents and increase footfall to support local businesses, with the long-term requirement for planning, phasing, securing investment, construction, infrastructure, and building partnerships.  

There are three areas in Gateshead where regeneration will create great places to live, work and enjoy. They are already allocated for significant growth in the Local Plan, which provides the framework for a regeneration spatial strategy backed by policy: 

• our town centre and quays, which is part of the NewcastleGateshead urban core 

• the riverside, which includes Metrocentre and brownfield sites 

• our neighbourhoods and local centres 

Three priorities 

Reimagining Gateshead: Transforming the town centre and quays 

This is the greatest opportunity for investment and delivery, with over 30 hectares of land allocated for redevelopment. Phased development of up to 4,000 homes and commercial spaces on land mostly owned by the Council and connected to the renewable energy network. 

Riverside Renewal: Revitalising Gateshead's waterfront  

Maximising the catalytic effect of the Town Centre and Quays developments to promote and enable development along the River Tyne, Derwent and Teams. Regeneration activity could lead to 3,500 homes, alongside the investment plans of the economic powerhouses of the Metrocentre and Team Valley. 

Transforming Neighbourhoods and local centres  

Unlocking strategic sites (including brownfield) of sufficient scale to reverse decline or market failure. Creating sustainable neighbourhoods and villages, including Felling local centre, through strategic and considered use of public sector funding to provide affordable homes where they are most needed. 

Overcoming obstacles and working in partnership 

Viability can be difficult owing to Gateshead's industrial legacy and lower sales/rental values, requiring an injection of gap funding. The inclusion of these three locations in the Strategic Place Partnership that steers Combined Authority and Homes England investment provides a pathway to securing that gap funding.  

A Gateshead Regeneration Partnership Board structure has been approved that will include NECA, Homes England, MHCLG, DfT and private partners to steer regeneration activity.  

It is intended that both the Plan itself and its work programme are flexible 'living' documents that will adapt over time to take account of new opportunities, external funding opportunities and policy, physical constraints and council priorities. 

Pride in place 

Regeneration is a long-term process, with multiple complex processes and phases, meaning that positive change and achievement of objectives can appear far off.  

The Angel of the North To show immediate impact, we will integrate efforts to instil "pride in place", create programmes of meanwhile uses, to ensure that our residents, stakeholders and visitors can see and are involved in tangible improvements from the start, whilst understanding the trajectory of transformation over the longer term.  

The immediate actions will be delivered through existing council strategies and services. The Environment Strategy is a vital part of our vision to create a clean, safe, and attractive environment for businesses and visitors that enhances the quality of life of our residents, encouraging investment in our economy. It is a statement of intent and shows a duty of care and commitment to priority places.  

Over the next 12-24months, our Cultural Strategy will help build footfall and celebrate our culture, through public events and art which recognises the importance culture can play in changing perceptions, rejuvenating forgotten places, and giving reasons for people to visit. The first year of activity, under the banner of "Creative Spaces", will focus on Town Centre and riverside locations.  

Our Town Centre Manager and Ambassadors have a particular focus on working with local businesses and stakeholders to improving our local centre and its offer. And we are rolling out similar approaches in other local centres.