Transform Tyneside

An artist’s impression of what the new Tynemouth Outdoor Pool Refurbishment work continues at the Spanish City Nixon Homes plans a 10-storey student housing scheme in Newcastle being transformed by Places for People and Urban Splash, will eventually see up to 850 homes being built.

So far, 24 factory-built town houses have been installed on the site called The Plateau. Ten more will be designed by TV architect George Clarke. Meanwhile, work has started on the second phase of the project – a set of 80 apartments called the Smokehouses.

As part of the whole programme, Proposed house building around East Benton cottages Plans to build 715 homes on land off Beacon Lane in Cramlington which could take around 10 years to complete, the riverside will be opened up to provide a direct link between the Fish Quay and Royal Quays.

If you’ve been down to the coast over the last year, you will have noticed various safety barriers lining the promenade and a number of construction sites. Work is taking place in several areas as part of North Tyneside Council’s seafront masterplan. The projects include the restoration of Spanish City, a new hotel, refurbishments along the Northern Promenade and rebuilding of sea defences. This scheme, which was approved earlier this year, involves 2,000 houses, The Smith’s Dock housing development on the banks of the Tyne How the scheme at Kenton Bank Foot by Taylor Wimpey could look along with shops and leisure facilities.

The plan attracted support as well as objections from residents when it was put before Northumberland County Council’s planning committee. Supporters said the project would create 500 affordable houses, support the Ponteland Relief Road scheme and enhance the town’s infrastructure.

However, objectors said it would unnecessarily eat into the green belt, and put pressure on services like the GP’s surgery in Ponteland.

Plans to build more than 700 homes on land off Beacon Lane were given the green light in February. Developers Barratt Homes North East and Keepmoat Homes were given permission for the scheme, which is to include creating two grass playing pitches, a multi-use games area, a pavilion with changing facilities and three play areas.

The developers are also to contribute £5.5m towards education and build 143 affordable homes.

There have been plenty of plans around for new student flats in the city. Among the latest ones is a new 10-storey tower with around 246 beds on St James’ Boulevard.

It was approved in May. The Nixon Homes scheme includes four areas of open space including a roof terrace, a hard and soft landscaped public realm located along the front, and a terrace area on the first floor overlooking the open space to the rear.

In December, planners gave the thumbs up to three separate developments - 529 homes north of Brunton Road at Kenton Bank Foot, close to the Newcastle Falcons’ rugby ground; 57 homes to the south east of Station Road, also in Kenton Bank Foot; and 26 homes to the south and west of Brunton Bridge Farm, in Kingston Park.

The three schemes make up part of a wider council plan to build around 800 homes in the Kenton Bank Foot area.