Go-ahead for £500m innovation neighbourhood

Plans for a £500m innovation neighbourhood in Newcastle, which will transform the former general hospital site and include more than 1,000 homes, have been green lit.Newcastle University is behind the scheme, in partnership with Genr8 Kajima Regeneration.The masterplan, located on a 29-acre site, will combine high-quality housing alongside public realm allied to modern healthcare, education and community facilities that will foster research, innovation and enterprise.Included in the scheme is 350,000 sq ft of research and innovation space, 350,000 sq ft of business employment and education space, 100,000 sq ft of NHS and other health-related facilities, alongside 1,250 new homes, up to 15 per cent of which will be affordable.The residential element aims to create a range of multigenerational homes across tenures such as co-living units, market rent and supported living homes.Two sustainable transport hubs are also planned to serve the major development, as well as green corridors and development plots.Newcastle University and Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd formed the Newcastle Genr8 Kajima (NGK) joint venture in March 2022.Professor Chris Day, vice-chancellor and president of Newcastle University, said: “Our planned Health Innovation Neighbourhood builds on our world-leading expertise in healthy ageing and will be the first of its kind in the UK, tackling major health and social challenges with the aim of identifying solutions that will benefit people here in the North East and beyond.”We are delighted that the detailed masterplan of our exciting development has been given the green light to put ageing and health at the heart of a flourishing community which will bring together research, innovation, commerce and living.”Richard Ingham, director, Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, added: “The Health Innovation Neighbourhood scheme has an ambitious vision to create a global exemplar for innovation in sustainable living and the longevity economy. We aim to develop a neighbourhood where housing, the environment, infrastructure, research, and education will drive and inform healthy living across all life stages. We are proud to be a part of a project that will ultimately help people live longer and healthier lives.”GSSArchitecture has developed the masterplan, working with Pegasus Group which has provided planning advice.