Into the future with £700m Science City

Jun 6 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

AMBITIOUS plans for a £700m Science City have now been unveiled for the former Scottish and Newcastle brewery site.

The designs, which cover a 19-acre site at Newcastle’s Gallowgate area, feature new homes, space for restaurants and retail outlets, student accommodation, a hotel and state-of-the-art business and science facilities.

Over 15 years, the development is expected to create around 5,000 jobs, and the new science park will be on the same scale as the Grainger Town development in Newcastle’s architectural heartland.

Dr Peter Arnold is chief executive of Newcastle Science City – the name of the partnership between the regional development agency One NorthEast, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University. He said the plan would transform Newcastle’s future, not only in terms of redeveloping its landscape but also securing its economic prosperity.

“Science Central, which is the scheme’s working title, will be home to Newcastle University research institutes and Newcastle College’s new school of applied sciences.

“Sitting alongside these academic and business neighbours will be family homes and apartments for local people, accommodation for students studying at Newcastle University and leisure facilities. Our vision is to make Newcastle Science City one of the world’s premier locations for science, business and economic development, putting in place resources to create prosperity and future investment in the city.

“At Science Central, we have an unrivalled development opportunity and coupled with the scientific excellence right here in the city, our potential for a successful science quarter is among the best in Europe.”

Work on the park, which would effectively extend the existing city centre, could begin by the end of 2010 and the first phase is expected to last around five years, using the latest sustainable building materials and techniques.

And once completed, the initiative is also designed to sustain its success, by creating thousands more jobs through projects in the future.

Dr Arnold added: “The aim for us is to build prosperity from science and embed it in the region, and for that we will need entrepreneurs, and the science and technology itself to be in place, as well as skilled employees.

“The project has been designed to create sustainable employment within the city centre and rather than being a secluded and annexed science centre, it was important to us the area was mixed use so it would be adopted as part of the community and form a seamless transition into a pleasant residential suburb.”

The area will be eco-friendly by using alternative energy from renewable sources and creating a pedestrian and push-bike friendly space in the heart of the city centre.

Public art and green spaces will feature and items of memorabilia from the now demolished brewery itself, including the famous Newcastle Brown Ale blue star, are intended to be used to pay homage to the area’s heritage.

JUST FOR STARTERS

THE first phase of the development will include:

:: 7,000 sq m of stem cell and genetic science facilities

:: 4,500 sq m of drug discovery facilities

:: A specialist business support services hub covering 3,500 sq m

:: Accommodation for 1,000 students over 20,000 sq m

:: 96 three-bedroom homes and 93 two- and three-bedroom apartments

:: 1,000 sq m of ground floor leisure and retail space