The government has approved a new funding package worth £121.8million for the transformation of Quayside West at Forth Yards in Newcastle city centre.
The package will fund vital remediation, groundworks and infrastructure activity, fixing complex land issues that have acted as a barrier to investment at the brownfield site, which, despite its prime location near Newcastle Central Station and the city centre, has lain derelict for decades.
The government has approved the business case for the package, developed by Homes England, working in partnership with the North East Mayor and Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council and Network Rail.
Matthew Pennycook, housing and planning minister, said: “This government has a brownfield first approach to development, and we want to see previously used land prioritised wherever possible.”
“We are acting to make it easier to build homes on abandoned, disused and neglected urban brownfield sites across the country – boosting housing supply, regenerating communities, and delivering economic growth.”
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: “This derelict land is in a great location on the banks of the Tyne yet has stood mostly unused for 20 years, which is a huge waste of potential.”
“That’s why we promised to transform areas like this and now that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’ve secured funding so we can get the last brownfield site in Newcastle city centre ready to start building the homes that local people need.”
“This won’t be a vast estate, where people can’t access the services they need, but a thriving community with great transport links, green spaces and shops.”
“We’re driving the transformation our region needs – from brownfield to beautiful – and today we’re announcing a huge step towards achieving that here at Forth Yards.”
“The new funding package will pave the way for a new development platform and subsequent appointment of a private sector delivery partner, with the procurement process due to start in the coming months, while public sector partners will continue to accelerate progress across the whole Forth Yards site.”
Quayside West, which has the capacity for around 1,100 homes alone, was brought into public ownership in 2024 after being acquired by Homes England. It is one of the largest parcels of land at the centre of Forth Yards, which is set to become a new, sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood next to the city’s central station and Quayside, providing the city with a new, well connected western gateway.
The site signifies a strategic priority for Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority, which last year strengthened ties further with Homes England through a Strategic Place Partnership.
Pat Ritchie, chair of Homes England, said: “This significant investment in Forth Yards demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to transforming previously undeveloped brownfield sites into thriving communities. By working in partnership with Newcastle City Council, the North East Combined Authority and Network Rail, we’re addressing the complex challenges that have held back this strategically important site for decades.”
“The new funding package will unlock the potential for thousands of new homes right in the heart of Newcastle, supporting the government’s mission of building 1.5 million homes this parliament.”
The government recently announced that Forth Goods Yard, another parcel of land at Forth Yards, would be one of the first regeneration opportunities to be brought forward as part of the creation of Platform4, the new property company focused on transforming rail-led land through the creation of new homes and neighbourhoods.
Government unveils new development company to build 40,000 homes on brownfield railway land
Robin Dobson, group property director of Network Rail, said: “As Network Rail Property bring forward planning submission for the first phase of Forth Yards with up to 600 homes this year, we welcome this financial commitment to unlock the wider Forth Yards estate delivering a further 2,500 homes.”
“Forth Goods Yard has been landlocked for decades and the combined efforts of Network Rail Property, Homes England and Newcastle City Council will enable the transformation of this strategically important site for generations to come.”
