Tuesday 19 Apr 2011
NETWORK RAIL AND 3R LAND & PROPERTY SUBMIT PLANS FOR A NEW MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT IN GATESHEAD
- Region & Route:
Network Rail and 3R Land & Property have today submitted a planning application to develop on a brownfield site on Askew Road, Gateshead – creating jobs and regenerating the economy.
The proposed scheme would regenerate a derelict piece of land, by creating a new north east maintenance centre for Network Rail, and further mixed-use development delivered by 3R Land & Property.
Network Rail’s site will consist of a two-storey office building, storage facilities and car and cycle parking spaces. The new office space, totalling 2070 sq m, will bring together up to 300 staff from existing offices and sub-depots across the region.
3R Land & Property, which is selling part of the site to Network Rail, is proposing to develop a hotel, offices, restaurant and a car park on the remainder of the land. It is estimated the whole scheme will create around 150 jobs in Gateshead.
Paul Rutter, route infrastructure maintenance director for Network Rail said: “This new centre will allow us to bring teams together, creating opportunities to work more efficiently. The centre will manage maintenance of the railway throughout Northumberland and Durham plus the Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside Areas .
“This scheme will help regenerate a neglected area of Gateshead and create jobs for the local economy as well as delivering a fantastic new mixed-use development for the local area.”.
Kevan Carrick of JK Property Consultants, who are acting as agent and development consultant for 3R Land and Property said: “This is an exciting scheme for Gateshead, especially in such challenging market conditions, and the creation of jobs is essential to help grow our economy. The partnership between Network Rail, Gateshead Council and 3R Land and Property has been excellent, and we look forward to a positive decision that will allow and early start on site.
Barton Willmore, the UK’s largest independent planning and architecture consultancy acted as planning consultants for the development.
We have already received interest in elements of the site, but are still seeking further interest from potential occupiers or developers.”
Work on site is hoped to start in autumn of this year and Network Rail’s site is due to be completed a year later.
Notes to editors
JK Property Consultants acted for 3R in the sale of the land and Simon Haggie of Knight Frank acted for Network Rail.
Kevan Carrick is senior partner at JK Property Consultants LLP and can be contacted on 0191 4060040/07957811824 or Kevan@jkpropertyconsultants.com he is away from the office until 18 April but can be reached by email.
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