Refreshed Quayside Scheme Set to be Backed

Ask:PATRIZIA’s amended plans for a £330m scheme on Gateshead’s Quayside, which includes a 12,500-capacity indoor events arena, look set to progress at a meeting next week.In December 2020, the developer secured planning permission for an arena, conference and exhibition centre on an 11.3-acre site bounded by Mill Road, Hawks Road and South Shore Road.Originally, the project included an arena and dual-branded hotel, but the hotel has now been relocated to a site on the corner of Quarryfield Road and Hawks Road.A subsequent planning application to move the hotel has since been green lit by the Council.The refreshed Gateshead Quays plans, which were unveiled at a public consultation in February, include a raft of design adjustments, however the main element is a new linear park.Running from north to south along the eastern boundary of the application site, the park will replace the original base of the hotel, and is set to provide an accessible pedestrian link between the Quayside promenade and the Baltic Business Quarter.It will also connect the Gateshead Quays development with the relocated hotel.Additional changes include an extended area of the centre to house a retail or leisure unit, alongside a break-out space to serve the meeting rooms.In order to improve views, a service yard green roof has been reinstated and the conference and exhibition centre balcony has been extended.The application will go before Gateshead Planning and Development Committee on Wednesday 12 July with the recommendation for approval.