Newcastle under Lyme town centre development moves forward

Exciting plans to revitalise Newcastle town centre are gathering pace.

Multi-million pound plans for homes, offices, shops and a hotel, plus public open spaces, are all moving forward for the Ryecroft, York Place and Midway redevelopment.

A report to be considered by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Cabinet next week also proposes the appointment of nationally-renowned property developers Capital&Centric to help turn the vision of a remodelled York Place into reality.

If approved, the developers will also begin developing plans for the Midway car park site, which will close once the 455-space Castle car park opens in 2024.

Work is ready to begin this month on Castle car park, which will create a large, safe, well-lit place for use day and night, and support the hotel and housing proposed for Ryecroft.

Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “This once-in-a-generation project to transform the town centre is gathering pace.

“And as we move forward with the regeneration we are finding more opportunities and more businesses and organisations wanting to be a part of it.

“We are delighted that prestigious national developers want to be involved because they can see the long-term potential for people to live, work and enjoy their leisure time in our town centre.”

York Place will feature public open space between Ironmarket and Merrial Street, as well as shop and office buildings.

To enable a cost-effective and environmentally friendly project, Capital&Centric is suggesting that part of the original building’s frame could be retained and integrated into the new design for York Place – reducing demolition and building costs and making a more sustainable proposal.

Stephen Sweeney, Deputy Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Cabinet member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, said: “With work beginning soon on Castle car park we are laying the necessary first foundations of a project which will increase footfall day and night and boost local shops, restaurants and businesses.”

Capital&Centric has a national reputation for turning unloved buildings and derelict land into homes, workspaces, hotels, shops, bars and restaurants – often embracing eye-catching architecture with energy-efficiency built in.

Successful projects include the award-winning Kampus garden neighbourhood in Manchester and the ongoing restoration of the Grade II listed Weir Mill in Stockport town centre. The company is also delivering regeneration projects in Sheffield, Liverpool, Bolton, Wigan and Stoke-on-Trent.

John Moffat, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, said: “We’re all about taking sites that are past their best and creating a new future, one that people can get excited about.

“Whether in towns, city centres or the suburbs, we work hard to make sure the places we build help foster a proper sense of community.  We’ve often done that through a mix of restoration of historic buildings, contemporary new builds and green public spaces where locals want to spend time.

“Newcastle-under-Lyme has both bags of potential and a forward-thinking council with a clear vision of the next chapter for the town centre. We’re really excited about the prospect of getting involved in some of the most prominent sites in the town and bringing our brand of design-led transformation to the centre.”

Plans are also making progress to regenerate Burton’s town centre. Find out more.