C&C’s Newcastle schemes receive £19m boost
A trio of innovative town centre regeneration projects currently under way in Staffordshire are set to benefit from Homes England funding.
Three linked projects are currently at various stages of completion by developer Capital&Centric in Newcastle-under-Lyme, with projects at Ryecroft, Astley Place and the statement reworking of the Midway car park as a residential scheme set to create 328 new homes in the town.
A total of £18.94m arrived from Homes England this week, the final chunk of a £90m public-private financial package put together by project partners to underpin the work.
John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric, said the schemes were an “exciting moment” for the town, with the funding representing a statement of intent from Homes England.
“It will enable us to deliver the regeneration that Newcastle-under-Lyme deserves. We are breaking new ground by doing something no one else has attempted before: taking a shopping centre and a car park and turning them into new homes,” he said.
“This funding will help us unlock the town’s potential and create a buzzing new heart for everyone to enjoy.”
A total of 130 apartments are being built at Ryecroft, on the northern edge of the town centre, alongside a green urban park, while other parts of the site are earmarked for Aspire Housing.
At the former York Place site, now renamed Astley Place, Capital&Centric are redeveloping the former shopping centre as apartments, with ground-floor retail and leisure space and green outdoor areas.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “These three projects will change the face of Newcastle town centre, and I’m delighted that the final part of our funding has arrived as planned.
“There will be hundreds more people living in the heart of the town providing opportunities for new and existing businesses, while the reshaping of York Place and creation of public space there will link the Ryecroft to the High Street and market area.
“Add the plans for the aparthotel and the music space at the Old Bull’s Head and this is a most exciting time to be in Newcastle.”
Grabbing the headlines is a UK-first conversion of a concrete multi-storey car park into a 111-home apartment building known as Karparc, with shared facilities for residents set to include a gym, residents’ lounge and mini-cine.
Jo Nugent, Acting Executive Director Markets, Partners and Places at Homes England added: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we are committed to supporting partners to unlock housing sites where brownfield infrastructure is a barrier to delivery.
“This project will help to transform Newcastle-under-Lyme’s town centre, bringing a diversified housing offer of 328 new homes, commercial space and regeneration of brownfield land for the borough and the wider region.
“Made possible by an £18.94m infrastructure grant from our Brownfield Infrastructure Land fund, delivery is now ready to start and we look forward to seeing new residents move into these homes in the coming years.”
