Scheme for eyesore former Newcastle venue moves forward

More than £916,000 has been allocated to support a 100%-affordable housing development on the site of a former Staffordshire nightclub.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council rubberstamped the allocation of funds to support the scheme in Marsh Parade, set to be built on the site of the town’s former Zanzibar nightclub.

The venue closed down in 2004, and the site has been derelict since then.

Social housing group Aspire acquired the 0.75 acre site in 2019 before knocking down the former entertainment venue a year later, and announced plans for a mixed-use development for 63 homes and five business incubator units in partnership with Manchester developer Capital&Centric in May.

Under the proposals, two “contemporary” apartment blocks will be built on the 0.75 acre site, facing onto Marsh Parade and Hassel Street, with a similar design to other recently approved schemes at the former Midway car park and Ryecroft sites within the town centre, in a bid to tie together regeneration efforts across the town.

Planning approval for the scheme was granted last month.

The council says the funding has been granted from a pot of developer contributions for various schemes in the borough, originally secured for off-site affordable housing.

Andrew Fear, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s portfolio holder for strategic planning, added that the development was a “vital part” of Newcastle-under-Lyme’s ongoing regeneration.

“Approval of this funding is a significant step forward in Aspire getting the scheme under way,” he said.

“This site has probably been vacant for around 15 years now – first with the empty club and then after demolition.

“It’s a gateway to Newcastle, and several schemes have been proposed and not gone through, so this has had a helping hand with this money. This will lead to 63 units of affordable housing, which we welcome.

“The project aligns with our commitment to sustainable growth, supporting the local economy and community, and delivering on Newcastle’s ambitions for a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable town centre.”