Newcastle University, in partnership with Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd, will transform the former 29-acre General Hospital site in Newcastle’s West End into a world-class centre for research and innovation focused on ageing and living well.

Over 10 years as it develops, leveraging Newcastle University's leadership in ageing research, the campus will provide new academic facilities, NHS, and other health-related facilities, residential, business, community, and leisure spaces.

First in the UK

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 residential space will comprise houses as well as clustered living units, later-living residential units and supported living units. It will also include specialist housing for those living with dementia and traumatic injury.

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.”

Improved public amenities

The project 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 café, 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 Newcastle’s Westgate Road.

The approved redevelopment plan includes two sustainable transport hubs to support the site’s new uses, and new public areas and spaces allocated for retail and leisure. Additionally, the masterplan incorporates green corridors and envisions 24 development plots centred around a large open space, enhancing connectivity with new east-west links across the site.

The Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd partnership is a 50/50 Joint Venture between Kajima, the pan-European real estate developer and investor and leading regeneration developer, Genr8 Developments. With an established track record of successful town centre regeneration projects, the partnership will create a place that positively contributes to the local community while supporting the research and innovation ambitions of the campus.

Pegasus Group has provided planning advice for this joint venture, while GSSArchitecture has developed the masterplan.

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. We are proud to be a part of a project that will ultimately help people live longer and healthier lives.”