270 new homes to be built on former Freight Depot in Gateshead
Written by Max McVittie on 8th March 2023
The former Freight Depot in Gateshead is to be redeveloped over the next five years, with 270 new homes being built as part of a £350million initiative, after its 25 year vacancy.
The Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP), which is a joint venture with Gateshead Council, has been responsible for overcoming the site posed challenges including clearing abandoned old railway workings.
After a final injection of cash from Homes England, the Government’s housing body, work has been enabled to begin on the depot near Felling Bypass.
The first residents are expected to move into the new homes in December this year, with completion of the large-scale project expected in early 2028.
The £350 million initiative will eventually create over 1,500 homes are set to be built on 16 sites across the borough.
Councillor John Adams, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “It is fantastic to finally get this ambitious development in the heart of Gateshead underway. Regenerating an unused brownfield site into much needed homes to meet local housing need will not only improve choice and availability, but deliver an economic uplift for the town centre nearby.”
(Left to right) Cllr John Adams, Cabinet Member for Housing at
Gateshead Council; Peter Udall, Strategic Director at Gateshead Council; Kenny Brewster,
Regional Investment and Acquisitions Director at Sigma Capital; Stephen Teagle, Chief
Executive of Countryside Partnerships; Graeme Reay, Land Director at Sigma Capital; Laura
Carr, Development and Delivery Manager at Home Group and Dave Brown, Managing
Director with Countryside Partnerships North East. Credit: Alex Perkins Photography
The development will also be the first housing scheme to be connected to Gateshead’s District Heating Network, a new, soon to be zero carbon energy centre.
A minimum of 25% of jobs created will go to local people, with the scheme creating 15 apprenticeships and 18 jobs safeguarded, as well as 300 work experience, skills and training for the young people in the local area.
Countryside Partnerships’ house building brand, Linden Homes, will market the 165 homes for sale, Home Group will offer 25 for affordable rent, while Sigma Capital, will market 80 of the new units for private rent.
Dave Brown, Managing Director with Countryside Partnerships North East, said: “A landmark project for the partnership, the Freight Depot follows successful projects that have created over 423 homes in Birtley, Deckham, Rowlands Gill, Windy Nook and Saltwell, where our Trilogy I development was chosen as the country’s Best Regeneration Project of more than 71 homes, at the 2018 Inside Housing Awards.
I’m confident this project will build on this success, creating more high quality homes for the borough and a bustling community on a formerly unused parcel of land.”
