High Street South - Regeneration Proposals
We have listened to the concerns raised by residents, businesses and local councillors about the environment and condition of the south end of the High Street in Gateshead Town Centre and agree that action is required.
We have extensively reviewed development options and potential uses for the area to understand what could be delivered in this vitally important part of the Town Centre. The Town Centre has much to offer, but also needs to respond to the structural changes that are affecting all High Streets and the Council will work with partners to attract new uses and people in to the Town Centre whilst providing much needed new homes.
Download the boundary map of the High Street South area (Image, 704 KB)(opens new window)
Our vision is to radically transform this area and create the opportunity to provide new homes for people of all ages but particularly older and younger residents, new spaces for local services and leisure uses and much needed green spaces for residents and users of the Town Centre to enjoy. The images below show what this vibrant new neighbourhood could look like in the future.
Artist's impression
High Street South - Artist's impression
Artist's impression
We have assessed in detail a range of information and taken into consideration the acute challenges that High Streets and the retail sector is clearly experiencing. For example:
- the perspective of stakeholders and potential investors
- the demand for property in the area and the current condition of property
- the housing requirements of Gateshead residents now and in the future
- the current availability of land for development
- that type of development will sustain the Town Centre.
The Council has allocated funding to ensure the regeneration process can begin immediately. If you have an interest in the regeneration proposals please email highstreetsouth@gateshead.gov.uk in the first instance.
Documents
View the proposal document (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window)
Moving on - your guide to relocation (PDF, 94 KB)(opens new window) is a guide for owners, leaseholders and tenants directly affected by the proposals.
Engagement
October 2019 to January 2020
We consulted with the public on the proposals via mail, drop in events and an online questionnaire. View the consultation feedback (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window).
March 2021
In August 2020, the Council commissioned consultants IDPartnership to produce a refreshed Exemplar Neighbourhood SPD and masterplan. IDPartnership conducted an engagement exercise via the Place Changers website which concluded 31st March 2021. The Council will conduct a statutory consultation of the refreshed Exemplar Neighbourhood SPD when a drafted version is prepared. The draft SPD will be publicly available, providing stakeholders and the wider community with an opportunity to comment and make representations.
January 2022
High Street South is included within the boundary of the Exemplar Neighbourhood area, for which there is an adopted Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Following the adoption of a new Local Plan for Gateshead, and to account for the changing economic, social, and environmental landscape since 2013, work to refresh and update this document has been carried out by consultants IDPartnership. The document was consulted on for two six week periods, from 31 January to 13 March, and 18 July to 28 August 2022.
March 2023
The Exemplar Neighbourhood Masterplan and Supplementary Planning Document is adopted by the Council. The document, alongside a consultation report summarising the consultation process and responses received, and an Adoption Statement, is available to view on our Exemplar Neighbourhood Masterplan and SPD page.
Next steps
The demolition of 332‐354 High Street is now complete.
Following a review of the Council's Capital Budget, after the impact of Covid 19, Cabinet has decided that High Street South will progress as a 'Delayed' project. This means that the regeneration ambition for the area remains the same, but the project will proceed with a reduced budget over the next three years; still allowing for limited property acquisition. If you have any enquiries, please contact highstreetsouth@gateshead.gov.uk