Multi-million pound Wallsend plan takes a step forward
North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet heard the latest on a multi-million pound plan for Wallsend and its town centre last night (November 28).
The creation of the Wallsend Masterplan was approved in March 2022, with three key priorities at the centre of its development.
The masterplan prioritises improving the quality of the town centre by investing in its streets and public spaces, creating a more attractive townscape and providing a better visitor experience. It seeks to make improvements to the quality of housing in the town by renovating poor-quality properties and building new homes, connecting residents to good jobs through further education, transport infrastructure and putting Wallsend on the map for employers.
And now, Cabinet have been given a presentation on the draft plans and how the proposed projects will deliver on the agreed objectives.
Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside, said: “We are immensely proud of Wallsend’s history and heritage, and this draft Masterplan is sympathetic to that, while portraying our vision of a vibrant and connected town centre.
“These plans are our initial ideas of how the town could be transformed. As always, we pride ourselves on being a listening council and want to create a town that our residents are proud of. There will be a number of opportunities for residents, businesses and community groups to have their say and help us shape these plans in the coming months.”
Funding is currently being sought for the Masterplan through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. A bid for £19 million has been submitted and the Council are awaiting a response. So far, almost £2m of grant funding has been secured from the North of Tyne Combined Authority to fund measures including events, support for businesses, shop front grants and improved walking and cycling routes.
Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum will be upgraded following a £499,000 grant from Arts Council England’s MEND fund, which will see the installation of a new lift, roof repairs and new equipment to control the conditions in the galleries, protecting the museum’s internationally important collection. The council will be bidding for heritage lottery funding which would contribute towards a more comprehensive transformation of the World Heritage Site.
Work has already been carried out to improve the housing offer in the town centre, with the Council recently repurposing flats on Charlotte Street into new family homes, this development was made following significant issues of poor property management and anti-social behaviour.
The Council continues to engage with partners to support the delivery of a new healthcare centre behind the Forum Shopping Centre, providing much needed new facilities to the town centre.
New employment opportunities are in the pipeline for the town following the recent purchase of the former Swan Hunter site by Shepherd Offshore Ltd, working in partnership with the Council to redevelop the former shipyard into Swans Energy Park.
Cllr Johnson added: “We want to ensure that Wallsend is a great place to live, work and visit, and these plans are a symbol of this commitment. We will continue to look for funding opportunities and hope to hear a positive response back from Government on our Levelling Up Fund bid.
“I look forward to starting the consultation process and sharing our vision for the town.”
A six-week public consultation on the Wallsend Masterplan is set to take place in early 2023. This will involve displays, face-to-face drop-in sessions and an online consultation across the Council’s website and social media.
Feedback and comments from this consultation will be used to shape the Masterplan before a final document is brought back to Cabinet for consideration.
The plans to regenerate Wallsend are part of the Council’s Our North Tyneside Plan 2021-25, which aims to build a better Borough, looking to the future and listening to residents and working better for them.