The Proposal
Outline planning permission is sought for the development of up to 400 residential dwellings, including associated parking, landscaping, drainage and surface water attenuation, public open space and access. Detailed elements of the development will be agreed at later reserved matters stages.
At least 15% of the development will be affordable homes in line with Newcastle City Council planning policy. In addition, at least 75% of the homes will be classed as family accommodation.
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​Outline planning permission will establish the parameters of what can be built where on the site. The detail of individual house types, drainage systems, landscaping and public open space will follow in a further application(s).
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Masterplan | Click to view a larger version
The former Sage Headquarters office building, which has been vacant since 2021, will be demolished. The proposal will bring this disused brownfield site into use as high quality and sustainable residential development, helping to meet Newcastle’s housing requirements.
The development will include a mix of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2-4 bedroom homes. The layout of the site has been inspired by the current built form on the site, being broadly circular with homes radiating around a central green space.
A new pedestrian and cycle link will be created through the centre of the site, connecting the site with the wider Great Park and adjacent public footpaths. Vehicular access will be via Great Parkway to the east of the site (the existing site access).
The layout responds positively to the design policies set out in the Newcastle Local Plan and relevant Supplementary Planning Documents, including the Newcastle Great Park Masterplan.
Amongst other measures, this includes the provision of tree lined streets, accessible and safe open spaces, an imaginative play area, sustainable urban drainage features, and elevational treatments which reflect the context of the site. A key characteristic of the site is the significant amount of mature landscaping around the edges.
Recognising this important characteristic, the proposed layout looks to retain the majority of this to inform a sympathetic redevelopment of the site. On-site wildlife enhancements will result in at least 10% net gain in biodiversity.
As an outline planning application, a series of principles will be established to provide certainty on how the site will ultimately be developed. Amongst other things, this will include:
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An upper limit on the number of homes delivered
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Heights of buildings across the site – the majority will be limited to 2 and 2.5 storey, with up to 4-storey apartments located at the site edges
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The areas of the site where built form will be and areas restricted to landscaping/open space
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The principle of a circular walking route around the site
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The principle of multi-user connectivity through the site (pedestrians and cyclists)
Redevelopment of a vacant brownfield site to create new homes for Newcastle
A range of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2-4 bedroom homes, including 15% affordable housing
A new safe and accessible pedestrian & cycle link connecting the site with the wider Great Park
Creating new construction and supply chain jobs during the build period
Additional Council Tax Revenue and resident expenditure in local businesses
Wildlife enhancements including at least 10% net gain in biodiversity
Access to this currently inaccessible site with large areas of green and blue infrastructure and play space
Parameters Plan | Click to view a larger version
Storey Heights Plan | Click to view a larger version
Benefits
£69.6m
Construction Value
(total construction cost)
55 Jobs
Supply Chain Jobs
(indirect/induced jobs supported)
35 Jobs
Direct Construction Jobs
(temporary jobs over the build period)
£8.4m GVA
Economic Output
(additional GVA per annum)
£3.1m
First Occupation Expenditure
(spending to make a house ‘feel like a home’)
£1.9m
Net Additional Resident Expenditure
(within local shops and services per annum)
15 Jobs
Supported FTE Jobs in the local area
(from increased expenditure in local area)
£1.0m
Council Tax Revenues
(per annum)