Plans have been unveiled by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to build shops, offices, and a 450-place carpark as part of plans to regenerate the town centre.
The two sites involved are York Place and that of the former civic offices in nearby Ryecroft.
Under the plans, which have been submitted to the council for approval, the 1960’s shopping centre on York place will be demolished to make way for two four storey buildings and the creation of a new public space opening onto the Ironmarket.
The ground floor of the two new buildings would be earmarked for retail or food outlets, with office space on the upper floors.
This is linked to redevelopment plans announced for nearby Ryecroft, which would see 90 homes for the over 55’s, a 100-bed hotel and a new headquarters for Aspire Housing built on the site of the former civic offices, along with a car park.
The existing multi-storey car park on the Midway would then be demolished and the site used for housing.
In a nod to the town’s impending 850th anniversary the new car park will be named Castle Car Park.
Council leader Simon Tagg said, “Castle Car Park will be the cornerstone of the wider Ryecroft redevelopment, which is a key part of our Future High Streets Fund plan and will ensure we have a vibrant town centre in Newcastle ”.
He added, “A bright, safe, clean car park will encourage visitors, to boost our local economy and pave the way for the hotel and residential units, which will follow over the next two years.”
In 2020 the borough council received £11 million from the Future High Streets Fund to underpin the Ryecroft development. £3.5 million of this was set aside to develop the car park.
The council acquired the York Place shopping centre in March 2021 using a £3 million fund that will also pay to clear the site and help tenants relocate.
The council have appointed Wilmott Dixon as the contractors to develop the site and is working with them to ensure the new buildings fit in with the character of the surrounding area.
Speaking about the York Place redevelopment, Stephen Sweeney, Deputy Leader of the council and cabinet member for finance, town centres and growth said, “Once approved, these two flexible, contemporary buildings and a new public space will add to the mix of the town centre and help create greater footfall in what is currently an underused part of town”.
The council expects 200 jobs to be directly created by the regeneration of the town centre, with another 319 jobs being supported in the supply chain.
Stephen Sweeney said the plans were “part of our wider work to regenerate the town centre and position it at the heart of economic, social and community life in the borough”.
Planning applications for both sites have been submitted and, if these are approved, work could begin in Spring 2023.
