Green light for healthy living neighbourhood

Planning consent has been secured for Newcastle University’s multi-million-pound Health Innovation Neighbourhood, which will promote longer, healthier lives.

Newcastle University, in partnership with Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, 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.

The project will include 32,500m² of research and innovation facilities, a further 32,500m² of business, employment and education space, 9,200m² 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.”