The next phase of work at Newcastle’s £200m Stephenson Quarter – which could create more than 800 jobs – is set to get underway following planning consent by the City Council.
Proposals to develop the North East Futures University Technical College (UTC) and erect Phoenix, a six-storey office development, have been given the green light by Newcastle City Council (Friday March 17).
Once archaeological inspections and detailed design work are complete, developer Clouston Group is aiming to have the UTC and Phoenix buildings – representing a combined investment of £28.5m – complete and open by September 2018.
The recruitment programme for the first intake of students at the UTC is already underway and interest is high across the region.
David Clouston, Managing Director of Clouston Group, said: “Regional and national politicians and the region’s universities, along with local and blue-chip employers are anxious to see the development of this UTC in Newcastle. Therefore, we continue to speculate significant funds to turn the long proposed ambition into a reality here at Stephenson Quarter.”
Stephenson Quarter is recognised as an ideal site for such an ambitious project, a new type of school offering innovative ways of learning for 14-18 year olds and centred around the specialist subjects of IT and health sciences. Importantly for recruitment and accessibility, the site is based in the centre of the city with easy transport links.
Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the North East LEP, said: “We are very pleased that the next phase of redevelopment is progressing which will focus on developing our young people’s skills in growing areas of our economy – digital and life sciences. The project and ambition is strongly aligned with our Strategic Economic Plan and its aim to create more and better jobs for our region.”