Metrocentre and Gateshead Council Sign Landmark Deal for Major Urban Regeneration
A landmark agreement has been signed between Metrocentre and Gateshead Council to advance the Metro Riverside project, a major new development described as a "city within a city." This sweeping regeneration scheme aims to transform brownfield land surrounding the Metrocentre into a thriving, mixed-use community on the southern bank of the River Tyne.
Key Features of the Metro Riverside Development
The Metro Riverside project will comprise more than 4,500 homes and has the potential to generate 5,000 jobs. Conceived as a 20-minute destination, it promises compact, accessible, and walkable neighborhoods in a high-quality waterfront setting, supported by strong public transport links. The development is designed to be carbon-neutral, aligning with modern environmental standards.
Economic and Regional Impact
Beyond housing, the project could double the site's contribution to the regional economy to over £2 billion per annum by 2045. Martin Healy, chairman of Metrocentre, emphasized the power of long-term public-private partnerships in unlocking transformational change. He stated that developments of this scale require collaboration to bring together investment, local leadership, and shared purpose.
Environmental and Community Benefits
Metro Riverside is set to become a cornerstone of nature recovery, featuring green corridors lined with woodland that connect to the river. The plan encourages pedestrian and cycling links to city centers and the River Tyne corridor, while also boosting sustainable urban drainage, bolstering flood defences, and enhancing flood resilience throughout the area.
Historical Context and Future Plans
This marks the most substantial development in the area since the Metrocentre opened 40 years ago. Plans for housing on this brownfield land have been under consideration for over 11 years, initially as the MetroGreen scheme with around 850 homes. The new agreement commits both parties to co-invest in the first phase of Metro Riverside, bringing it to a delivery plan stage.
The Metrocentre itself will transition from a premier retail destination into a vibrant hub serving incoming residents and the local workforce, solidifying its role as a major economic engine for the North East for decades to come.
