Avant submits Newcastle Great Park plans
The Sunderland-based housebuilder is looking to add up to 320 homes on land occupied by the former Sage headquarters, with the application also seeking permission for the demolition of the 230,000 sq ft vacant office.
Called Skyline Quarter, the 24-acre development will comprise a mix of two- to five-bedroom semi-detached and detached family homes, as well as a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Avant Homes is proposing that at least three quarters of the development located between North Kenton and Hazlerigg will be for family homes with 15% designated as affordable.
The proposals will allow the currently inaccessible urban brownfield site to be integrated into Newcastle Great Park. The application includes approval for the demolition of the 230,000 sq ft former Sage headquarters building.
The project team consists of Avant Homes in-house design team, with the indicative landscaping strategy prepared by Robinson Landscape Design.
As a central element of the plans, Skyline Quarter will provide a large area of public realm at the centre, and will also comprise a ‘radial park’, which is green space and recreational areas integrated into the design extending outwards from the middle of Skyline Quarter.
There will also be pedestrian and cycle routes throughout the site, which will create connections to existing bus stops, public right of way routes, and shared use footways and cycleways, enabling access to Newcastle Great Park’s existing town centre development, recreational areas, and schools.
Located five miles from Newcastle city centre, the development would provide straightforward access to the A1 and A19 which enables commutes to Sunderland, Durham, Darlington and Middlesbrough.
The application follows a recent EIA scoping request from Lichfields on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon Homes, and Newcastle City Council, as the partnership looks into adding another 240 homes to the 1,200 acre site.
Since development started in 2001, Newcastle Great Park has delivered more than 2,500 homes, offices, a nursery, primary schools and an academy, as well as a community centre with associated sports and play pitches.
More than half of the site is landscaped, and the site has its own park and ride facility for nearby Newcastle city centre.
Avant Homes regional managing director, Richard Hosie, said: “Our outline planning proposal has been carefully considered to regenerate and revitalise the former Sage HQ site with the delivery of up 320 homes.
“Our design of Skyline Quarter has been from the inside out, starting with the distinctive ‘heart’ at its core and radial structure which all take cues from the original Sage HQ development.
“This design has also allowed us to propose the provision of public realm connected by pathways and cycle ways which radiate outwards.
“Our vision is for a currently derelict site to be transformed into a vibrant community within this most recent suburb of Newcastle. We now look forward to working with the local authority to bring forward these plans.”
