Places for People & Urban Splash announce plans for major regeneration of landmark North Shields dockyard
The regeneration of Smith’s Dock is set to get underway now detailed planning permission has been approved for the first phase of 34 new homes and will be developed by joint venture partners Places for People and Urban Splash.
This is the first phase of an ambitious wider masterplan to bring the historic Tyneside shipyard back to life as a vibrant new riverside community.
Places for People has already completed major investment into the remediation of the site and new infrastructure and will work in partnership with Urban Splash to deliver contemporary family housing.
Centred around the three retained dock basins, the scheme will create 815 homes, workspace, cafes and bars and open up new connections along the river between Fish Quay and Royal Quays and from the town centre down to the waterfront.
The masterplan received outline planning consent in 2013 and over the coming years, the redevelopment will generate hundreds of new jobs, apprentices and training opportunities for young people.
Work is expected to start this year on the first phase of 34 two and three storey contemporary family homes on the site known as ‘The Plateau’ adjoining Lawson Street, Coach Lane and Tennyson Terrace. With a new concept on family housing, called ‘hoUSe’, the new homes will provide flexible, spacious rooms, with large windows, high ceilings and smart contemporary design, can be customised by purchasers, and are offsite manufactured.
Mary Parsons, Group Director Placemaking and Regeneration at Places for People, said: “This is great news for North Shields and for the region. Places for People has been working to build a new future for Smith’s Dock since 2006. We have invested in this fantastic site which will create a new community with new homes and places to work and visit.It’s great to be at a point now where we can start building the first new homes and bringing to life our vision for the future, together with our joint venture partners Urban Splash.”
Urban Splash chairman and co-founder Tom Bloxham said: “This is Urban Splash’s first development in Tyneside and what a site! We have a proud track record of transforming neighbourhoods and we’re looking forward to working with our partners Places for People to help turn this historic shipyard once again into a busy lively place. We are very excited to be bringing our new housing concept – HoUSe – to the North East, and are busy working on some other great new designs for future phases at Smith’s Dock.”
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn said: “This is a great day for the rebirth of Smith’s Dock – it’s fantastic for North Shields that we’ve been able to attract developers of the quality of Places for People and Urban Splash. This new investment into North Tyneside will bring more quality homes, jobs and apprenticeships and ultimately open up the dock and riverside for everyone to enjoy.”
