A draft masterplan to radically regenerate Newcastle and Gateshead by 2050 has been unveiled, setting out ambitions for 16,000 new homes, improved transport links, and billions of pounds of investment. The Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) will be considered by local councils and the North East mayor in the coming weeks.
Among the most eye-catching proposals are two new footbridges over the River Tyne. The blueprint also commits to long-held ambitions including a new arena on the Gateshead Quays, redevelopment of the land left by the demolished A167 flyover, and the creation of a “world class” football stadium – either an enhanced St James’ Park or a new home for Newcastle United.
Eight opportunity areas
The 87-page document contains many more details, including water taxis, parks, and a new railway station. The framework splits into eight key zones – or “opportunity areas” – each with different targets for growth and investment. These range from new neighbourhoods in run-down areas to enhanced waterfront destinations and modernised travel routes.
The Tyne Heart zone covers the central bridges and areas on both sides of the river, including the Newcastle Quayside, the castle, Gateshead’s Railway Quarter, and the Gateshead Quays. The document describes this as the “civic, cultural and destination heart of the Urban Core”. Potential developments include 1,500 homes on sites including a redeveloped Gateshead Old Town Hall and Brett Wharf, the planned arena on the Gateshead Quayside, and water taxis, lighting, seating, riverside event space and public art.
City core and town centre plans
Newcastle City Core covers the heart of the city centre, from Central Station to Grey’s Monument and up to Haymarket, as well as Eldon Square and the Pilgrim Street regeneration area. The ambition is to “combine the elegance and authenticity of its historic centre with the confidence of a new eastern commercial and mixed-use district”. Potential developments include 1,000 homes and 1 million sqft of commercial floorspace, a major residential, hotel and leisure development around New Bridge Street, demolition and redevelopment of Higham House, bringing underused upper floors back into productive use, and refurbishment of Monument Metro station.
Gateshead Town Centre covers Gateshead High Street, Trinity Square, and the land around the demolished A167 flyover. The 2050 ambition is to make this a “confident, people-focused urban centre”. Potential developments include new “distinctive neighbourhoods” around Gateshead Interchange, Oakwellgate, and the former flyover corridor to attract 2,000 new homes, a refurbishment of Gateshead Interchange, a “blue-green corridor” on sections of the former flyover route, and improved east-west connections including potential investment in Jackson Street and Coulthards Lane.
Stadium, innovation and eastern areas
The Boulevard & Stadium area around St James’ Park, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle College, and Leazes Park could see a “world class” sports stadium, 1,000 new homes, better pedestrian links, and a potential new “combined transport hub”. The document does not give preference to upgrading St James’ Park or building a new ground.
The Eastern Gateway covers Shieldfield, Battlefield, and the area around Manors Metro station, with ambitions for “intensified” construction, 1,000 new homes, improvements to City Stadium park, better links to the Quayside and Ouseburn, more student housing “only where supported by identified need”, and new crossings to overcome the “severance” created by the Central Motorway.
The Innovation Quarter covers Newcastle Civic Centre, the main university campuses, the Royal Victoria Infirmary, and Exhibition Park. Potential developments include the planned North East Space Skills and Technology Centre, enhanced access to Exhibition Park and the Town Moor, and investigating the longer-term potential for a “greener Central Motorway corridor”.
Western and eastern villages
The Western Urban Villages zone includes the vast Forth Yards regeneration area west of the city centre, plus Gateshead’s Clasper Village and Askew Road. Potential developments include 3,750 homes on sites like the Quayside West plot, a new footbridge next to the Redheugh Bridge, the planned Scotswood Line liner park, and improved access from Gateshead Riverside Park to the waterfront.
The Eastern Urban Villages zone stretches across Ouseburn, Gateshead’s Baltic Quarter, and down the Tyne towards Byker and Gateshead Stadium. Potential developments include a new footbridge between Spillers Quay and the South Shore Road area, 6,000 new homes on plots including Malmo and Spillers Quay, continuous walking and cycling access along both riverbanks, improved links to Gateshead Stadium, and the opening of a new Gateshead East railway station.
