City leaders reveal economic masterplan for Newcastle and Gateshead
Dec 3 2009 By Adrian Pearson, The Journal
10 key steps
THE city development company has told civic leaders they must focus on 10 areas.
As well as reducing the number of children leaving school with poor grades they have called for a "no one written off" approach to the long-term unemployed.
They call for a top 200 list of Tyneside business to be given a contact officer at the development company to help them grow the business.
They also want a renewed focus on jobs built around science and the low carbon economy, and a new push to bring world-class businesses into the city centre.
So what happens next for project?
THE draft plan needs to be approved by both councils as they head towards a shared planning framework, as well as getting approval from One North East.
It will then be launched formally early next year with project directors appointed to lead five-year action plans based around the 10 key steps. In the third year there will be a city-wide evaluation to determine just what has worked and what has not.
Planners say they need at least "20 years to create a great Northern European city". Science City and Central Station should be visibly different within the first five years.
Within 10 years new "knowledge industry" jobs will be clearly established and school grades at historic highs.
After 20 years they predict a thriving new city centre.
Changes on both sides of the River
Newcastle
Plans are already established for millions of pounds worth of funding in the city centre. Among these are Science Central on land near St James’ which will host a flagship science HQ for new hi-tech businesses.
Land behind and around the train station, the Stephenson Quarter, will be changed into new business space. Land from East Pilgrim Street down to Swan House roundabout will be transformed, with calls for a complete rethink about car use in the city centre.
Gateshead
For years the poor cousin to Newcastle, the borough is now set for major reform along its town centre.
A new town centre park and major conference centre are planned, with the Gateshead highway set to be changed into a green boulevard.
Gateshead Quays will also be regenerated as part of a new focus on the river.
The Baltic Business Quarter will be a key part of plans to sell Tyneside to outside investors.
The Role of Business
THE city development company has brought in experts from outside of council life to ensure that both Newcastle and Gateshead are changed to meet business needs.
Planners ay they are making changes to re-establish the "urban core" as a prestigious central business district. As such incentives such as taxpayer funded subsidies could be offered to encourage business to move back into the city centre.
But they warn service standards in the retail and hotel sector are often disappointing and business leaders will have to address this.
