Ashington regeneration scheme takes major step forward

The £30m regeneration programme to revitalise Ashington town centre has hit another milestone, with the appointment of design teams to take forward ambitious plans across three sites.

Earlier this year councillors approved the establishment of the Ashington Regeneration Programme which is set to boost the town’s economy and drive forward the implementation of the Ashington Town Investment Plan.

The programme brings together significant funding from the council, the North of Tyne Combined Authority and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the recently announced award from the Government of £16.4m for transformational investments at the Wansbeck Square and Portland Park sites.

These capital projects are a key part of the long-term vision for the town centre, improving pedestrian movements from the new Ashington Station through the high street and includes creating an attractive link from Woodhorn Road to Portland Park, at ‘Grand Corner’.

The investments are designed to create new facilities at either end of the high street that will attract the community and visitors, increasing vibrancy, footfall and spending. The council has now appointed a design team led by Identity Consult which includes Ryder Architects as the lead designer for Wansbeck Square. The team will also take forward public realm and connectivity improvements, including Grand Corner Gateway.

The design team’s objective will be to create detailed proposals for an attractive town centre gateway from the new railway station including high quality public realm, landscaping, space for events and activities, and potentially a new community facility.

Advance Northumberland have engaged Turner and Townsend with GT3 Architects as lead designer to progress the development of plans for a multi-screen cinema and restaurants at Portland Park further extending the leisure offer to this part of the town centre.

Alongside the flagship capital projects, the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) Towns and High Streets Investment Programme is funding Animating Ashington, a full programme of distinctive cultural events and activities in and around the town centre. This will be designed and delivered by a Creative Team who will be appointed early next year with events and activities organised from April 2024 to March 2025.

NTCA are also funding digital business support for Ashington traders and potential entrepreneurs, which is being delivered by Advance Northumberland. The Council anticipate that the demolition of the existing buildings at Wansbeck Square will commence in late summer 2024 and construction of the new facility in Autumn 2024, with completion by March 2026.

It is currently forecast that construction work could commence on the Portland Park site in late Autumn 2024, with a projected opening in early summer 2026.

The creation of the Ashington Regeneration Programme adds to the significant investments already planned in the town. This includes the reopening of passenger rail services to the Northumberland Line and the development of a state-of-the-art ‘Gen Zero’ Northumberland College campus at Wansbeck Business Park, being funded by the Department for Education.

County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, said: “It’s through the ongoing commitment of everyone involved, from residents and businesses through to staff, Councillors, Ashington Town Board members and funders, that we’ve got to this stage.”

Ashington Central County Councillor Caroline Ball added: “We look forward to seeing these proposals develop and inviting residents to shape and support the unique regeneration opportunity offered to the town.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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