Agenda item

To seek approval for the final version of North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Master Plan as a framework for the regeneration of North Shields.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval for the final version of North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Masterplan, appended to the report, as a framework for the regeneration of the town centre and Fish Quay following a programme of consultation and engagement undertaken over the Summer/Autumn 2020.

Achievements to date, including three schemes that had been delivered by the Authority’s development company were as follows:

·         Northumberland Square Phase 1: the development of new housing at Northumberland Square to create 28 new homes.

·         Northumberland Square Phase 2: plans were currently being refined by the Authority’s Trading Company to convert the vacant properties at11-12 Northumberland Square into luxury apartments.

·         Unicorn House: work was ongoing to refine a final scheme and to progress demolition works. The scheme would deliver circa 28 new family homes.

·         The Wooden Dolly: the statue had been returned to Northumberland Square following its restoration.

·         Heritage Action Zones (HAZ): Historic England had confirmed that the Authority’s bid for £900,000 to this fund had been successful.

·         North Shields Fish Quay (Western Quay): the Authority continued to work with the Port of Tyne and the Fish Quay Development Company to ensure that the longer-term economic objectives for the Fish Quay were achieved and that it remained a viable economic asset that contributed to the Authority’s objectives.

·         Tyne Brand Site: the Authority was currently working with the new owners to refine a site assembly and delivery strategy for the site which would see it developed to a high standard in terms of design for residential purposes with some potential for ground floor commercial activities.

As a listening Authority the views of residents, businesses and other interested parties on the draft Master Plan had been taken into consideration to help the Authority shape its thinking prior to producing a final version of the plan.  However, ahead of formal consultation taking place, a series of discussions with external partners and interests had been undertaken.

A full breakdown of the responses to the formal consultation was set out in the report.  Overall, the consultation responses received across all platforms were broadly positive and generally gave support to the proposals contained in the Master Plan. Given the overall support for the proposals, its alignment with Authority and local and national planning policy in respect of town centres, it was not proposed to undertake any further consultation or engagement. However, where individual projects were subject to planning applications, these would be subject to their individual consultation where residents / businesses would have the opportunity to comment on the specific details of a scheme.

Since the commencement of the formal consultation and engagement, the Authority had continued to refine the Master Plan to ensure it gave the best place making outcome in terms of its environmental, social and economic impact whilst providing value for money for the public purse.

Since commencing the consultation, the Co-op store, located on Bedford Street, had been placed on the market for sale as the business had decided to withdraw from the town centre. This included the main Co-op store together with two smaller retail units which faced onto Railway Terrace. Given the layout of the store combined with current market conditions it was considered unlikely that the premises would be acquired and reoccupied for retail purposes. This had provided the Authority with an opportunity to review how it delivered the Transport Interchange and the Town Square.

It was now proposed that by acquiring and demolishing the Co-op and associated units together with two other property interests (owned by New River Retail) the Authority would be able to develop both a transport interchange serving buses in the town centre together with a public square.

This new approach would avoid the need for significant property acquisition and relocation costs for existing businesses as well as negating the need for a Compulsory Purchase Order. It would also remove cost and risk associated with the demolition of the properties around Railway Terrace, Nile Street and Bedford Street which were located above the metro tunnel and would also enable the developments to be brought forward sooner saving around 18 months in delivery time.  As such this approach would deliver the same outcomes for the town centre but at significantly less cost to public purse in a shorter timescale than previously proposed. This approach to retain those properties at Railway Terrace aligned with some of the comments the Authority received to the consultation.

No other major changes were proposed to the Master Plan as all the other projects were supported and were policy compliant. The Master Plan was a strategic document which reflected the Authority’s aspiration for the town centre. As individual projects were refined and progressed towards delivery, design details would be finalised and may be subject to minor changes to reflect on-site or technical constraints.

The proposed next steps included:

·         Refining a Delivery Plan for the Master Plan which would set out the timings, and funding for the projects contained in the Master Plan.

·         Progress the delivery of those schemes contained in the Master Plan for which funding had been secured.

·         Securing external funding for those elements of the Master Plan for which funding was not currently in place.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: either to agree the recommendations as set out in Section 1.2 of the report, or alternatively to disagree with the proposals.

Resolved that (1) the proposed changes to the North Shields Town Centre and Fish Quay Master Plan since August 2020 be noted;

(2) the final version of the Master Plan as a framework for the regeneration of North Shields be agreed; and

(3) the Chief Executive, the Head of Resources and the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, in consultation with the Elected Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, be authorised to progress the delivery of the Master Plan including the acquisition of property interests, procurement of design and construction services for those projects identified within the Master Plan and for which funding has been secured.

(Reason for decision: The recommended option will enable the Authority to progress the regeneration of North Shields Town Centre and the Fish Quay.)