-
Business Space Opportunities
- 1
North Road
Executive Summary And Promoter Details
The sites enabled by this proposed development provide an exciting opportunity to regenerate an already lively, predominantly commercial street. North Road is recognised as a significant gateway to the City and presents a key regeneration opportunity.
A project is being developed to relocate the existing bus station in North Road to create a floorplate of sufficient size to attract an anchor store to this secondary retail area of the city. Once completed, the project will provide a newly created pedestrianised gateway to the city from its transport hubs, improved frontages and public realm to the existing retail premises.
Third party landowners of adjacent sites have indicated a willingness to enter into a joint venture to achieve a composite redevelopment of the area.
Photographic Library
Land Ownership
North Road is in multiple ownership.
Site Description
North Road is a lively predominantly commercial street which links to the city’s central core via Framwellgate Bridge to the Market Place and the Peninsula.
The Cathedral and the Castle, the iconic buildings of the World Heritage Site are in prominent view when looking down the street to the south east. North Road is aligned along the axis of the castle and the natural rising topography of the Peninsula ‘elevates’ the castle clear of its surrounding buildings. The North West part of North Road forms the central spine of the regeneration area, extending up to the viaduct and the main roundabout on the A690 which dissects North Road. This area encompasses the existing bus station, links to the rail station and retail frontage either side of the road. It is intended to turn this part of the city into a gateway and destination location in itself, with the main focus to redevelop the northern end of North
Road to create a pedestrianised ‘North Place’.
Site Area/Floor Area
The site covers an approximate area of 2.1ha
Planning Status
A development brief has been completed and full business case is in place for the intended initial project. It is projected that a planning application will be made in late 2016 for this and the public realm improvements will be on site October 2016 onwards.
Development Potential And Regeneration Benefits
Future development on this site will bring wider benefits to the area, providing an opportunity for inward investment, facilitating the provision of local jobs, riverside regeneration and aiding social, economic and physical regeneration. It will better reveal the significance of the WHS through improved pedestrian links, the development of public spaces and enhanced views into and out of the WHS and facilitate the enhancement of the character of the Conservation Area. The Council’s Vision for Durham City is for sustainable economic growth, to succeed in attracting private sector business, development of complementary infrastructure, new housing, associated transport and community facilities. Identified within the Regeneration Statement and the County Durham Plan, an improved North Road will offer an enhanced environment, a revitalised shopping destination, a special gateway location with improved transport hub and linkages and create a distinctive place to provide an improved environment for all.
Infrastructure Needs
All highway and transport infrastructure will be completed during the initial redevelopment project and the site will be offered cleared to the market.
Delivery Timescale
Detailed design, stakeholder engagement, funding applications and work on a delivery strategy are ongoing. Once approved, public consultation and a planning application will follow, late in 2016. Current timescales predict the initial project to be on site January 2017 and complete by March 2019. Land assembly negotiations are progressing well, however should a CPO process be required, then a start on site could be delayed by up to 18 months.
