Plans unveiled for a £10m retail and leisure hub at Lambton Park
Redevelopment at the Lambton Estate is set to continue as plans are revealed to create a new £10million retail and leisure community hub.
Set to be known as Bowes Gate, the three-storey Victorian-style building will provide retail offerings found on a traditional high street, with spaces also earmarked for offices and leisure activities.
Designed as a four-sided ‘town square' it is hoped to include a mix of a baker, delicatessen,butcher,grocer,florist, pharmacy, convenience store, hairdresser / beauty salon and an estate farm shop.
Theupperstoriesaredesignatedforofficesorleisurepurposes,
including the potential for well-being activities such as yoga classes.
Incloseproximitytothedevelopment is a proposed Pavilionearmarkedforacafe/bistro withinternalandexternalseating and the potential to host outdoor community events.
The development is being brought forward by the Newcastle office of national planning development consultants Lichfields, acting for Theakston Land and the Trustees of Lambton Estate.
JonnyMorrisoftheEstate’s managing agents GSC Grays, said “Bowes Gate is anticipatedasbeingthebeatingheartof the Lambton developments; it will be a thriving community hub with the facilities needed to service the new housing, businessesandagrowingnumber of visitors to the Park.
“Our vision for Bowes Gate is to provide a traditional high street featuring around 9 independent businesses, a cafe with outdoor seating and events.
“Thedevelopmentwillacta focal point for the host of highquality improvements and
enhancements currently underway at Lambton Park.”
“Wehaveanexcitingdesign forBowesGateandwearenow inviting formal expressions of interest in the space.”
The main building of the newcommunityhubcomprises 11,600 sq ft of ground floor retail space and 26,500 sq ft of office and leisure space and features a colonnade on the ground floor. The Pavilion bistro extends to 3,450 sq ft.
The development will also see creation of a new park immediately west of the Pavilion.
In 2016, approval was given for a £28.5m revamp of the 1,500 acre estate initiated by EdwardLambton,theSeventh Earl of Durham.
This has resulted in the openingupover11kmsofestate pathways to the public and the beginning of work on over 100 newhomesaspartofthewider Lambton Park development.
These will be built in in a range of styles from Victorian to Georgian and on to the Arts and Crafts era.
The commercial development is situated adjacent to thisfirsttrancheofnewhouses andtheexistingBowesoffices.
The proposals also include landscaping, car parking and associated highway and roadworks. The development will be accessed from the eastern side of the estate via the new roundabout off Chester Road.
Lichfields has submitted a reserved matters application for the commercial scheme and anticipate achieving approval in Summer 2021.
By developing a large portionofthesouthernpartofthe Estate, including the former Lambton Lion Park, the Earl willbefundingthe£28.5mrestorationoftheEstateincluding the Grade II Listed Castle.
If you would like to register your interest in space within the new Bowes Gate development, please contact Jonny Morris on 0191 303 9543 or at jwm@gscgrays.co.uk