Newcastle University, in partnership with Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, a 50-50 partnership of European real asset investor Kajima and developer Genr8 Developments, has secured planning consent for the £500 mln (€580 mln) Health Innovation Neighbourhood masterplan, which will transform a former 29-acre general hospital site into a new neighbourhood combining high-quality housing, modern healthcare, education and community facilities.
Leveraging Newcastle University's leadership in ageing research, the development will feature advanced infrastructure to support housing solutions that promote longer, healthier lives.
The masterplan includes 350,000 ft2 of research and innovation facilities, 350,000 ft2 of business, employment and education space, 100,000 ft2 of NHS and other health-related facilities, alongside 1,250 new homes, up to 15% of which will be affordable. The residential space is intended to deliver a range of multigenerational dwellings across a variety of tenures including, co-living units, market rent, later and supported living homes and specialist housing.
Professor Chris Day, vice-chancellor and president of Newcastle University, said: 'Our planned Health Innovation Neighbourhood builds on our world-leading expertise in healthy ageing and will be the first of its kind in the UK, tackling major health and social challenges with the aim of identifying solutions that will benefit people here in the North East and beyond. We are delighted that the detailed masterplan of our exciting development has been given the green light to put ageing and health at the heart of a flourishing community which will bring together research, innovation, commerce and living.'
Richard Ingham, director, Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, said: 'The Health Innovation Neighbourhood scheme has an ambitious vision to create a global exemplar for innovation in sustainable living and the longevity economy. We aim to develop a neighbourhood where housing, the environment, infrastructure, research, and education will drive and inform healthy living across all life stages.'
GSSArchitecture has developed the masterplan, working with Pegasus Group who have provided planning advice.
