Strategic Development Framework Plan for the River Tyne North Bank 1. Introduction
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Strategic Development Framework Plan for the River Tyne North Bank 1. Introduction This board describes the background to the study, the study area and the community engagement events which have been held. Background and Aims of the Study GVA Grimley was commissioned by North Tyneside Council (NTC) One North East (ONE), Newcastle City Council (NCC) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in October 2008 to prepare a Strategic Development Framework Plan for the regeneration of the North Bank area of the River Tyne. The study area stretches from the Walker Riverside Industrial Park in Newcastle to the Smiths Dock in North Shields and includes Wallsend Town Centre, Willington Quay and East Howdon. The study area includes almost 10 kilometres of riverfront, which has been the focus of industrial and marine development over the last 200 years. The area has suffered decline in recent years with the loss of jobs in manufacturing and shipbuilding which has had an adverse impact on the local communities. Large areas of the waterfront remain unused today. The Strategic Development Framework Plan will put a strategy in place to The Study Area guide regeneration activity in the area over the next 15-20 years. Community Engagement Events Our Understanding of the Area There are four stages of community engagement. The first three stages We have studied the area to find out about its history, its character and have been completed as set out below: how it has changed in recent years. We have looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the area, we have identified key issues for discussion Advanced networking and dialogue Stage 1 and we have shared our ideas on the opportunities for change with the December 2008 - February 2009 community and businesses working in the area. Issues and Vision sessions in Wallsend, Stage 2 The following highlights some of the key challenges and opportunities Willington Quay and East Howdon – February 2009 which face the North Bank area: Option & Key Choices in Wallsend, Stage 3 Willington Quay and East Howdon – March 2009 • High degree of unemployment and inactivity; Exhibition of the Draft Strategic Stage 4 • Low incomes and low productivity occupations; Development Framework Plan: September 2009 • High long-term unemployment and Incapacity Benefit claimants; • Educational and skills deprivation acute despite district-wide The results of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 community engagement events success…BUT were presented at the Stage 3 events in March. • Considerable opportunities in high value and growth sectors; The purpose of the March community engagement events was to • Significant assets to create attractive and competitive waterfront consider the opportunities and options for change in Wallsend, Willington locations; Quay and East Howdon and to obtain your views on the way forward. A separate Community Consultation Report has been posted on NTC’s • A major opportunity to create something distinctive for the region. website with the full results of the community engagement process. Strategic Development Framework Plan for the River Tyne North Bank 2. What you have told us This Board describes the community feedback from previous consultation exercises. This information has been used to inform the preparation of the Strategic Development Framework Plan. A. North Bank Waterfront Industrial Corridor D. Heritage • Create a long term prosperous economy for Wallsend and the North • Aspire to create a linkage between heritage and the modern Bank (businesses in the marine sector, environmental technologies, community – culturally, physically, brand-wise eg Roman fort, mining, research & development and marine design); shipbuilding; • Focus on developing the skills of the workforce (training • Town Hall – beautiful building, which portrays a sense of history – apprenticeships, higher education and enterprise); retain character but be creative with use; • Regeneration must meet the aspirations of local communities to • There is potential in English Heritage as partner/promoter – for create jobs and local benefits; funding. • Deal with the bad neighbour/polluting industries in the Wallsend and Willington area (by policy and enforcement) – residents see this as a priority; E. Wallsend Town Centre • Consider opportunities to move dirty industries (waste water treatment and recycling plant) – away from residential areas and communities – • Crossroads focus of main shops and activities – key to creating a ‘buffering’ of non-compatible uses is not considered enough; sustainable town centre; • Only industries that really need the waterfront for their businesses • Role of vibrant town centre – to attract employers, employees, should be on waterfront. Consider relocating uses that don’t need to visitors, residents – retail important – but not just about retail; be there; • Swan Hunter site is pivotal – at end of historic spine connecting The • New industries/companies to recruit from local people where Green, High Street, Segedunum and Tyne riverside access. possible. B. Housing and community F. Other • New and improved housing should be provided in the area; • Maintenance and management of green links, open spaces – must • New housing should relate to the local style of the area, but also to be improved; consider new ideas; • Retain (encourage) strong sense of community and identity – in all • Preservation of ‘The Green’ as a distinctive conservation area – core areas; part of Wallsend’s identity; • Signage and public realm improvements – especially for heritage and • Special consideration should be given to the future of East footpath/cycle corridors; Howdon including the opportunity of giving residents new housing • Reputation/branding/image of the area to be dealt with – strategic opportunities that will improve their health and circumstances. process must transform image; • Aspiration for quality development – eg attractive buildings with river views; C. Movement • Deliverability and clear cost/funding and agency responsibility – there is much scepticism – need confidence that some things will happen. • Strategic routes/roads to be re-configured – avoid rat-running and If nothing does – things will spiral downwards. excessive HGV movements. Consider re-routing HGV’s where possible. • Adequate/appropriate parking – essential for Wallsend Town Centre viability – but also in employment areas. Enhancing Existing Green Space Coast Road A1058 Strengthening Strategic Green Links Strengthening Recreational Corridor Introduce and Strengthen Green Buffer A19 Leading to Tyne Tunnel Conservation Area I. The Green Conservation Area II. Saint Peter’s Road Corridor Improvements Major Roads Distribution Roads Coast Road A1058 M Existing Metro Link MEADOW WELL METRO M Bull Ring Docks INT Possible Stephenson Railway Link, New Interchange Extension Upgrade MetroLink Station F Potential Ferry Link M The Tyne Tunnel INT Station Road Entrance Gateways and Markers Percy Main Tyne Tunnel Land Area Tynemouth Road Wallsend Park Heritage and Culture (Industrial History, ....) F Ferry Connection Possible Regeneration Opportunity Area: New HOWDON METRO Coble Dene 1. East Howdon Bridge Wallsend Park M 2. Brydon Site Howdon Road 3. Wallsend TC Housing Area Albert Edward Royal Quays 4. Point Pleasant Retail Outlet Dock Marina I 5. Hadrian Road Corridor Bamburgh and Helmsley Residential Neighbourhood (Improvement & Redevelopment) II Church Bank Retail Provision Willington Quay Port of Leisure East Tyne Station Road Howdon HADRIAN ROAD METRO Consolidate Wallsend town centre retail offer M Hadrian Road Point Northumbrian Segedunum Opportunity to expand leisure and heritage Pleasant 2 1 Forum Shopping 4 Water Centre (Improvements) Willington Gut Key Activity Point 5 3 Hadrian Road Key Community Uses High Street West Refurbishment of Key Buildings with Opportunity for New Uses WALLSEND METROM Hadrian Dock Hadrian Road Enhancing Existing Green Space Willington Gut Bridge Raised F Coast Road A1058 Oceana Business Strengthening Strategic Green Links F Wallsend Riverside Park Area 1. Marine Research & Development Strengthening Recreational Corridor 2. Heritage and Culture (Industrial History, ....) Segedunum 3. Enterprise Businesses Roman Fort Swan Introduce and Strengthen Green Buffer A19 Leading to Tyne Tunnel 4. Marine Engineering Hunter 5. Training and Development Conservation Area The Tyne I. The Green Conservation Area Tunnel II. Saint Peter’s F Office Space or Businesses for uses / occupiers attracted by a distinctive and well connected riverside business location F Road CorridorF Improvements (i.e any business and professional services, property services, public sector) Major Roads Existing Marine Engineering/Renewables Distribution Roads Coast Road A1058 Marine Engineering/Renewables (Oil & Gas etc) M Foss Way Existing Metro Link Port of Tyne Related Employment / Regeneration Opportunity MEADOW WELL METRO Bedes World M Bull Ring Docks INT Possible Stephenson Railway Link, New Interchange Extension NEPTUNE YARD Improve Environment of Waste and Recycling Activity Upgrade MetroLink Station including renewable energy regeneration F Potential Ferry Link M The Tyne Tunnel INT Entrance Gateways and Markers Station Road AUGUST2009 St Paul’s Waverdale Ave Waverdale Percy Main Tyne Tunnel Land Area Monastery Tynemouth Road Fisher Street Wallsend Park Heritage and Culture (Industrial History, ....) F STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT Ferry Connection Possible Regeneration Opportunity Area: New HOWDON METRO Coble Dene 1. East Howdon Bridge Connection to Wallsend Park 2. Brydon