On behalf of Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland, DPP have secured planning permission for a new flagship project in a £90m regeneration programme.
The project will deliver a new cultural venue alongside significant improvements to the Market Place in Blyth town centre. The Culture Hub, designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, will comprise a three-screen cinema operated by Jam Jar Cinema, facilities for live music, comedy, drama, dance and celebrations, creative and developmental play, and a café.
The Market Place improvements, designed by LDA, will provide more user-friendly public realm for use by all, including a dedicated space for Market Traders. The proposals have been developed in response to extensive community engagement and feedback that the current Market Place is no longer fit for purpose.
DPP undertook pre-application discussions with the LPA and statutory consultees at an early stage in the design process to discuss the proposals, key considerations and application requirements and subsequently prepared a detailed Planning Statement and Statement of Community Involvement to support the planning application. DPP liaised closely with the project team and LPA throughout the determination period to address matters relating to flood risk and drainage, design and highways, resulting in a positive recommendation from officers and approval at planning committee.
Speaking about the consent, Megan Mullarkey, Project Manager at Advance Northumberland said:
We are delighted to have reached another important milestone on the project by securing planning approval of the new Blyth culture venue and marketplace. The regeneration and investment will deliver a much-needed buzz and bring people into the Town. We all look forward to starting construction work later in summer 2023
Helen Marks, Consultant at DPP said:
We are delighted to have supported the wider design team in securing planning permission for the Culture Hub and marketplace that will deliver the transformation of the town centre as part of the wider programme of regeneration works for the town. The proposals have been the subject of extensive community engagement and have the support of residents and businesses
Images: FaulknerBrown Architects
