Agenda item

North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Masterplan

To receive a report on the progress made in delivering the North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Draft Masterplan since April 2019; and agree the Masterplan to be used as a basis for consultation and engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders over the Summer / Autumn 2020.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report on the progress made delivering the North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Draft Masterplan since April 2019, and to seek approval for the Masterplan to be used as a basis for consultation and engagement over the Summer /Autumn 2020.

 

In introducing the report, the Deputy Mayor also invited John Sparkes, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, to give a presentation on the updated position of the Masterplan.

 

At its meeting on 1 April 2019, Cabinet had agreed a report which set out ‘An Ambition for North Shields and the Fish Quay’. This built on the Authority’s wider regeneration objectives that had been agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 26 November 2018. An Ambition for North Tyneside had identified North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay as a specific priority.

 

The policy objectives for North Shields, agreed by Cabinet in April 2019, included a smaller but more vibrant and connected, high quality town centre; a connected and vibrant Fish Quay; better transport flows and connectivity; and a better-quality built environment.

 

On 12 March 2019, the North of Tyne Combined Authority, recognising the contribution of North Shields and the Fish Quay to the North of Tyne economy, had approved business case development funding for work to continue to develop a masterplan for the area.  This had provided £0.200m of funding and had enabled the Authority to refine a draft masterplan and supporting documents which would provide a strong foundation from which to develop individual projects identified in the Masterplan.

 

The report provided background and a summary of the work done so far in developing a Draft Masterplan. Subject to the Masterplan being endorsed by Cabinet, it was proposed that it was used, over the coming months, as a basis for consultation and engagement with residents, businesses and other stakeholders with an interest in the regeneration of North Shields. Once a final Masterplan was agreed by Cabinet, it was proposed to adopt it as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

 

Since receiving the funding from the North of Tyne Combined Authority, officers had been working with the North Shields Project Group, comprising the Deputy Mayor, Chief Executive and Heads of Service to refine a Draft Masterplan which reflected the Authority’s ambition for the town centre and delivered policy objectives and which contained a series of self-contained projects that could be further developed and delivered as and when funding allowed.

 

The report outlined achievements to date. There were nine projects within the Masterplan, these were:

 

Project 1 – Gateway Improvements: Improving the image and quality of public realm in key gateway sites into North Shields would enhance the experience for residents and businesses as well as those visiting the town.

 

Project 2 - Transport Hub and Interchange: The improvement of North Shields public transport offer was a key foundation to the successful regeneration of the town centre. Located adjacent (south) of the existing Metro station the proposals would provide customers with an improved quality of service giving access to a sustainable and high-quality public transport network, which was well used and connected to major centres.

 

Project 3 – New Town Square: There was an aspiration to create a new town square at a key arrival point in the town adjacent to the Metro Station. A civic square would create the opportunity for events and markets and would be a flexible performance space with the potential of hosting a variety of town centre activities.

 

Project 4 – Bedford Street and Saville Street Public Realm Improvements: The proposals would improve the quality of the public realm, using a distinctive and high-quality design to soften the street scene and animate the public spaces.

 

Project 5 – Northumberland Square: By continuing to invest in the restoration of Northumberland Square, the Authority would help revitalise the wider area using the stunning centrepiece of the Georgian square.

 

Project 6 – Howard Street Cultural Quarter: Building on the activities associated with the Heritage Action Zone, the Cultural Quarter would be focussed around the crossroads of Howards Street and Saville Street and would utilise key buildings such as the Saville Exchange, Business Centre (former Reading Rooms), the former Globe Gallery Building as well as other key buildings.

 

Project 7 – Riverside Embankment Walkway: Linking the town centre with the Fish Quay was a key strand of the masterplan and was a long-held aspiration of the Authority. Connecting these two economic areas through attractive routes would generate footfall and would broaden the visitor experience and would bring economic benefits to both areas. It was proposed to provide a high-quality pedestrian link from the southern end of Howard Street to the Fish Quay.

 

Project 8 – New Housing Opportunities: As the town centre repositioned itself in terms of its visitor offer, there was the opportunity to further develop a more diverse and balanced housing offer which saw North Shields being promoted as an exciting place to live with all the benefits of a town centre couple with access to the riverside and coast.

 

8a Tyne Brand Site: This was a key gateway site into the Fish Quay and was currently derelict and detracted from the overall visitor experience and appeal of the area. The site required a high-quality design solution given its prominent location and had the potential to create a unique residential offer within the heart of the Fish Quay.

 

8b Unicorn House: A former 1960’s office development located on Suez Street, the site had been acquired by the Authority in May of this year. It was proposed that the existing building was demolished and that the site was joined with the existing adjacent public car park to create a larger site which could be developed for family housing.

 

Project 9 – Relocation of North Shields Ferry Landing: The masterplan proposed the relocation of the Ferry landing to Western Quay which was in the heart of the Fish Quay. Nexus were currently refining their plans and would be seeking funding from the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NoTCA) to deliver this.

 

Subject to the Cabinet agreeing the Draft North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Masterplan the proposed next steps included:

 

·         Programme of engagement and consultation over the Summer / Autumn with residents, businesses and other interested parties to seek their views and suggestions on the draft masterplan.

 

·         Following the engagement and consultation a final version of the masterplan would be produced which was proposed to be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

 

The Elected Mayor thanked Mr Sparkes for his presentation, and everyone involved for their efforts in delivering the Draft Masterplan.

 

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to accept the recommendation as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report, or alternatively, to not approve the recommendations.

 

Resolved that (1) the progress made in delivering the North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Masterplan since April 2019 be noted;

(2) the Draft North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Masterplan be used as a basis for consultation and engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders over the Summer / Autumn 2020.

 

(Reason for decision: The recommended option will enable the Council to progress the delivery of the North Shields and Fish Quay Masterplan).

 

Supporting documents: