Approval nears for latest Science Central plans

The latest phase of Newcastle’s Science Central scheme – which includes the construction of an eight-storey building comprising office and restaurant space – looks set to get the go-ahead next week. Should approval be granted, the project would be expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.Legal and General is behind the application, which is earmarked for two separate plots of the masterplan site.The first of the two elements would be the erection of an eight-storey asset covering 140,000 sq ft.The upper seven floors, or 125,000 sq ft, would be office space. The ground floor would house a café, restaurant or additional office accommodation.Comprehensive public realm treatments are also proposed around the footprint of the building.The second element of the application is a 110-space car park. However, this would be a temporary arrangement pending the construction of a new Green Travel Hub.It is considered that the grade A office space provided by the asset is in “short supply” across the city centre, with Legal and General also suggesting that the project would support 165 temporary jobs throughout the 18-month build period and a further 250 jobs in the supply chain and related services.The finished structure could create 627 full-time operational jobs, which in turn could support a further 287 indirect and spin-off roles.The project would lead to an extra £22m worth of economic output per year during the construction.They have been recommended to approve the proposals next week.Set to create more than 4,000 jobs, 500,000 sq ft of office and research space and 450 homes, Newcastle Science Central is one of the biggest urban regeneration projects of its kind in the UK. The aim of the development is to become a hub for scientific research and technology businesses.