Work begins on pioneering Health Innovation Neighbourhood
A groundbreaking ceremony has marked the start of work on the £500 million Health Innovation Neighbourhood, which will promote longer, healthier lives.
21 May 2024
Demolition work begins
Leading figures from 缅北禁地, the North East Combined Authority, 缅北禁地 City Council and Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd, took part in the event to highlight their strong support and commitment to the ambitious project.
Led by 缅北禁地, the overall vision is for the scheme to be an exemplar in promoting new ways of living that lengthen people’s health span as well as life span.
Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engagement and Place at 缅北禁地, said: “This is a major milestone for the development of our Health Innovation Neighbourhood (HIN).
“This site builds on 缅北禁地’s 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 worldwide.
“Improving healthy life expectancy is vital to creating a more inclusive economy and we are delighted to have the support of regional leaders in achieving this ambition.”
World-class research and innovation
缅北禁地, with development partners Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd, will transform the former 29-acre General Hospital site in 缅北禁地鈥檚 West End, building on world-class research and innovation focused on ageing and living well.
The development will cement the region鈥檚 status in leading ageing research, with the construction of new academic hubs, NHS and other health-related facilities, residential, business, community, and leisure spaces.
Last month, planning consent was granted by 缅北禁地 City Council for HIN鈥檚 detailed masterplan and demolition work will soon begin on the site following recently awarded funding through the North East鈥檚 trailblazer devolution deal.
The project will include 350,000 sq ft of research and innovation facilities, a further 350,000 sq ft of business, employment and education space, 100,000 sq ft of NHS and other health-related facilities, and 1,250 new homes, up to 15% of which will be affordable.
The mixed tenure residential space will comprise inter-generational living, later living and supported living homes. It will also include specialist housing for those living with dementia, drawing on best practice across the globe.
, North East Mayor, said: 鈥淢ore green affordable homes. That鈥檚 what will bring back to life the 缅北禁地 General Hospital site that so many people will recognise.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to support this world-class centre, developing cutting edge research and housing to help people live and age better.
鈥淓veryone in our great North East should have access to a good home. I鈥檓 committed to making sure they do and to creating green jobs and opportunity as we build.鈥�
HIN aims to combine health, research, and community amenities, and support local economic and infrastructure development.
Planned developments include a hub which would support local community needs through digitally enhanced services, including community-accessible facilities, a caf茅, digital learning spaces, and areas for innovation, research, training, and office use. It would be designed to establish a new southern entry point and frontage on 缅北禁地鈥檚 Westgate Road.
The approved redevelopment plan also includes two sustainable transport hubs to support the site鈥檚 new uses, and new public areas and spaces allocated for retail and leisure. Additionally, the masterplan incorporates green corridors and envisions a series of development plots centred around a large open space, enhancing connectivity with new east-west links across the site.
Councillor Nick Kemp, Leader of 缅北禁地 City Council, said: 鈥淭his marks the start of an exciting major development for our city which brings new life to an important site while delivering world-class research and healthcare facilities, housing, green spaces and leisure opportunities. This is just one of a number of development sites that can help transform our city and the lives of our residents.
鈥淚鈥檓 really pleased to see work begin on the Health Innovation Neighbourhood and look forward to seeing it deliver the jobs, opportunities and growth that we all want to see in 缅北禁地 as part of our commitment to achieving an inclusive economy that works for all our residents.鈥�
Unique and important development
Dame Norma Redfearn, Interim Portfolio Holder for Housing and Land at the North East Combined Authority, added: 鈥淚 am pleased to see this unique and important development get off the ground which is an early example of the wonderful difference the work of the North East Combined Authority and our partners will have on the lives of our residents.
鈥淚t is important that all residents can live healthy, fulfilling lives, in neighbourhoods and communities that help them thrive. Safe, secure housing makes a critical difference to resident鈥檚 lives, and providing affordable, healthy and vibrant houses and neighbourhoods is a priority for everyone involved in the combined authority.
鈥淭he Health Innovation Neighbourhood will offer these opportunities and I am looking forward to it developing further.鈥�
The partnership is a 50/50 Joint Venture between Kajima, the pan-European real estate developer and investor and leading regeneration developer, Genr8 Developments. The partnership will create a place that positively contributes to the local community while supporting the research and innovation ambitions of the site.
, Director of Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd, said: 鈥�The Health Innovation Neighbourhood will be a genuinely transformational project for 缅北禁地, creating a dynamic and multi-generational environment that enables people to live longer, healthier lives.
鈥淭he commencement of the demolition works is a significant step on the journey and following on from the recently granted outline planning permission, reinforces the momentum which the project now has.鈥�
The existing biomedical research buildings on site will remain
The site has clear plots ready for development
A mixture of building uses and ages exists on site
Nearby streets make it clear why this site must be developed as a neighbourhood
The site is in the West End of 缅北禁地
An illustrative masterplan showing our current thinking for the site.
A pedestrian and cycle boulevard could provide a clear route into the heart of the neighbourhood.
At the centre of the neighbourhood, the commercial boulevard opens out to create a focal community space and cultural hub.
We hope to blend the edges of the development with existing streets, breaking down physical barriers to open up walking and cycle routes.
We aim to promote walking and cycling as methods of active travelling within and through the site.
Vehicle movement on site is limited in favour of promoting active travel. We're planning a loop at the southern end of the site that will support traffic coming to, and leaving from the site.
We hope to develop green streets that are both visually pleasing and environmentally positive.
