‘Bold and ambitious’ mayoral plan unveiled

A North East development zone is set to fast-track housing and jobs, unlocking hundreds of millions in investment.

The new Mayoral Development Zone, announced by North East mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority (NECA) cabinet at the Discovery Museum, in Newcastle, aims to accelerate development across the region, creating thousands of jobs, new housing schemes and major community hubs. 

It is being described as the “boldest and most ambitious” mayoral development initiative in the country.

The zone will build on existing council-led projects, including Newcastle’s Forth Yards, which could deliver 2500 new homes, and Gateshead Quays, alongside other strategically important sites highlighted in regional investment plans. 

By combining efforts under a single collaborative approach, the mayor, NECA and Newcastle and Gateshead councils hope to deliver lasting economic and social benefits and “speed up the pace of development,” with the model potentially replicated elsewhere in the North East.

Mayor McGuinness said: “Like many local people, I get frustrated about developments taking far too long to deliver which means we don’t fully feel the benefit of schemes as quickly as we should. 

“This needs to change. 

“The creation of our new Mayoral Development Zone will help to bring in major new investment and quicken development of local schemes so that we can get on with delivering our vision and bold plans to transform the North East. 

“We want to boost jobs, attract new business and bring in major private sector investment to support the work we’re already doing to grow our high streets, business parks and our rural and coastal areas. 

“We want to create better places for people to live and thrive, and this initiative will accelerate our ability to do this.

“I am confident the creation of the new Mayoral Development Zone will radically speed up the pace of development and can assure people that there will be real visible change in the coming years.”

A new Strategic Regeneration Framework will guide the zone, setting a 20-year vision and aligning developments with the Local Growth Plan and Spatial Development Strategy. 

The project will focus on transforming the central Tyne corridor, with neighbourhoods on both sides of the river set to benefit from housing, infrastructure and community investment over the coming decades.

Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, added: “Gateshead is entering an exciting new phase of regeneration, with major projects now moving forward across our town centre, riverside and neighbourhoods.

“Partnership is key to this. By working closely with the North East Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council, we can go further and faster in creating good jobs and building high-quality homes. 

“This will not only strengthen Gateshead’s economy and communities, but also give residents, businesses and investors clear confidence that Gateshead is moving forward with ambition.

“The improvements we are driving will make a real difference to everyday life – more and better jobs, thriving local businesses, improved transport, enhanced public spaces, better housing choices and a stronger economy that benefits everyone.

“Momentum is already clear, with major programmes under way. 

“We fully endorse the ambition of working together in partnership to achieve lasting impact. 

“This is just the beginning of a bold and visible programme of regeneration that will leave a lasting legacy for the North East and its communities.”

Councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, added: “Newcastle is a growing city that is undergoing major transformation with its development sites such as Helix, Stephenson Quarter and Pilgrim Place.

“The Government’s recent announcement of £120 million for the Forth Yards site has really put Newcastle’s most significant development site firmly in the spotlight. 

“It has the potential to transform the city’s economy over the next 15-20 years and attract even more investment to the city.

“Shaping and delivering that investment for the benefit of all our residents requires a new approach and by working in partnership with Gateshead Council and the North East Combined Authority we can achieve so much more together in going further and faster in job creation and building more homes that we know Newcastle and our residents need, and contributing to the national effort to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of the parliament.”

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