HOUSING SCHEME AGREED FOR NEWCASTLE TOWN CENTRE
New homes have been confirmed for Newcastle town centre as part of its once-in-a-generation regeneration.
McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, has exchanged contracts with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to proceed with a housing development at the Ryecroft.
The agreement is for a residential complex offering around 50 private properties for the over-55s at the eastern end of the site, part of a wider redevelopment which also includes a hotel, other accommodation from Aspire Housing and multi-storey car park.
(Image: Cllr Stephen Sweeney, James Hannah of McCarthy Stone and Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Cllr Simon Tagg.)
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “There has been national and international interest in the Ryecroft redevelopment and I am delighted to such a prestigious provider of homes is coming to Newcastle.
“The Ryecroft redevelopment is taking shape and along with other major developments which are going to change the landscape, this is going to boost our town centre economy and make it a more vibrant place to be.”
McCarthy Stone operates 530 retirement communities around the country and, subject to planning permission, this will be its first in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
James Hanna, Land Director at McCarthy Stone, said: “We are delighted to have worked in collaboration with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council over the last 18 months and we are looking forward to promoting our proposal for the Ryecroft site.
“Subject to receiving planning approval, we intend to create a new vibrant community for older people in the heart of the town centre and alongside the remainder of the wider regeneration plans.”
Work in the Ryecroft site is making good progress: the 450-space Castle car park is taking shaping and is scheduled to open this year providing a clean, well-lit option for visitors to underpin the redevelopment.
At the same time Capital&Centric (C&C) is progressing plans for both York Place, with demolition work expected to begin soon, and the Midway car park site, which will be converted into apartments once Castle car park opens.
A 100-bed hotel on another part of the Ryecroft site is also being developed, while Joules Brewery has announced its intention to create a live music venue adjoining the Old Bulls Head.
Stephen Sweeney, Deputy Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Cabinet member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, said: “This is a £30 million process which will eventually see the Ryecroft and York Place area contain homes, offices, shops and a hotel, plus public open spaces between Ironmarket and Merrial Street.
“Add the plan for more than a hundred apartments at the Midway site and there is an exciting vision coming together.”
