The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Town square set to go back to the future thanks to major overhaul
A HISTORIC square is to be transformed with regeneration work set to get under way this month.
The project aims to recreate the Georgian-era charm of Northumberland Square, in North Shields, and is part of North Tyneside Council’s plans to overhaul the town.
Supported and co-funded by Historic England, the work will take the square back to its original layout, based on a plan from 1826, of footpaths and a perimeter of trees.
Traditional sandstone paving and cobbled-style paths will be installed along with new contemporary lighting throughout the area.
The scheme will be the first step towards creating a new Cultural Quarter, incorporating the square and the top end of Howard Street, offering a new, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly environment.
The new-look square will have open spaces which could be used for leisure activities and events.
Meanwhile, the development of family housing in the town centre has moved a step closer – the former Unicorn House has now been cleared to give way to new homes.
Coun Carl Johnson, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “These are exciting times for the regeneration of North Shields, with work on the ground really starting to gather pace.
“The reshaping of Northumberland Square, which will hark back to its origins in the late-18th and early19th century, will complement the various other projects taking place, such as the redevelopment of the Unicorn House site and recent completion of high-quality new homes in the square.
“The work to the square will create a welcoming modern feel and tranquil, pleasant and more flexible space in this historic part of the town for events, such as the popular Victorian Christmas Market, and leisure activities that everyone can enjoy.”
Work is due to get under way next week and will include removing lighting columns and reducing the number of trees in the square in order to recreate the original design.
Opening up the space will allow for an increase in biodiversity, with a range of nearly 5,000 new plants and shrubs to be planted, including a native beech hedgerow around all sides, the authority adds.
New trees will be planted to create a tree-lined boulevard along Howard Street and elsewhere as part of the regeneration, resulting in an overall increase in the total number of trees in the town.
The park area of Northumberland Square will be closed until October when it is due to be reopened to allow for events, including the Victorian Christmas Market.
The first phase of the redevelopment is expected to be complete by summer 2022. Funding for the project has come from Historic England and The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Getting Building fund.