Member Article

Work begins on £5m mixed-use Newcastle Great Park development

Construction on a new mixed-use site combining affordable housing and retail units at Newcastle Great Park is underway after planning permission was approved.

The £5m development, designed by North East architects Gradon Architecture, includes 38 two-bedroomed apartments combined with nine ground floor retail units, and forms a key part of the Town Centre component at the Great Park development.

Sitting on the Market Square, Gradon’s designs include a mixture of brickwork and render with balconies on every apartment, and open plan retail spaces along with landscaping and pedestrian routes.

Ryton-based Gradon, who also have offices in Mongolia and Northern Ireland, are currently at work on various schemes across the region, including the £6m Gateshead Energy Centre as well as a pair of new fire stations in Alnwick and Hexham.

Graham McDarby, design director at Gradon Architecture, said: “This is an important development that will create a vibrant and exciting heart for Newcastle Great Park Town Centre.

“Having worked on the initial vision for the town centre masterplan a number of years ago, it’s great to see those plans now coming to fruition. We have taken great care that this development blended seamlessly with its existing surroundings, whilst providing an attractive public space for the local community.”

Work at Great Park has been ongoing since 2001, where the Newcastle Great Park Consortium has overseen the construction of 1500 new homes, a new first school and the relocation of Sage’s headquarters to the area.

David Abercrombie, Newcastle Great Park Project Director, added: “The consortium has worked hard to continue to deliver necessary infrastructure so that the town centre can progress.

“This development shows further commitment to deliver retail opportunities and, with our partners Bernicia, will deliver 38 affordable two bedroom residential units for occupation in early 2017. There is considerable interest in the retail units and we are working hard to have occupiers in place as soon as possible.”