Council set to back Ponteland revamp developer

Dec 28 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

A DEVELOPER chosen by local people to deliver a multi-million pound revamp for an ageing North East town centre looks set to get council backing.

Plans by developer MKP – which could result in up to £20m being invested in regenerating Ponteland – were overwhelmingly supported by residents following a public exhibition and ballot in the town in February.

More than 700 people turned up to view proposals drawn up by two separate developers, with 77% of those who took part in a card vote favouring the MKP scheme. Now Northumberland County Council is set to sign a formal ‘exclusivity agreement’ with the company in a bid to drive the project forward over the next 12 months.

The agreement aims to give MKP the confidence to make progress with land assembly and producing a robust financial appraisal of the scheme, prior to submitting a formal planning application.

It involves the county council safeguarding the required development land in the centre of Ponteland against any sale or disposal.

The Ponteland regeneration scheme dates back more than three years to when the proposals were first unveiled following a year-long study by consultants.

MKP’s plans involve the phased demolition of the existing Merton Way shopping centre, which was built in the 1960s, and its replacement with at least 20 modern retail units, including cafes and restaurants, with flats above.

They also include the creation of a new ‘community hub’ housing a relocated library and community centre, new housing, improved car parking, green open spaces and a water feature. The county council’s Liberal Democrat executive is expected to approve the 12-month exclusivity agreement with MKP at its meeting on January 11.

The deal will involve MKP giving the council quarterly reports on progress with the development plans, including evidence that ‘substantive steps’ are being taken on preparing a planning application, assembling the required land and drawing up a financial appraisal.

Madelaine Rourke, a senior project officer at County Hall, said the agreement would provide an environment in which the developer could make progress on key issues without the threat of the county council disposing of land to other parties.

"The signing of the exclusivity agreement will also provide the Ponteland community with some confidence that both parties are working together to progress the scheme in a transparent and robust fashion. Without the agreement the developer could not carry out the necessary ‘at risk’ work and the community may feel little or no progress is being made."