Plans for Newcastle Science City up for debate

Vital steps towards developing plans for Newcastle Science City will be debated by Newcastle City Councillors next week.

Newcastle City Council's powerful executive committee will meet on December 17 to discuss the next steps in the £40m project that aims to establish Newcastle as a premier location for science, economics and business.

Clearance work on Science Central, a 19-acre plot on the former Gallowgate brewery site which is part of the Science City programme, has been completed to create the foundations for a development that will feature offices, residential accommodation for families and students as well as shopping and restaurants.

Outline planning permission is due to be submitted in Autumn 2009 with the first building work to start on site in 2011.

A Science City masterplan has now been launched, commissioned by partners Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University and ONE NorthEast.

Newcastle Science City is also building a strong partnership between science, business and education stakeholders to achieve its stated objective of creating prosperity from Science for Newcastle.

Innovative projects and initiatives have included appointing four professors of practice within Newcastle University. Prof David Leahy, Prof Peter Gore, Prof Andy Lyddiatt and Prof Harry Bradbury will bring their extensive knowledge of science and business to the project. Science City has also organised the first Newcastle Scientia 08 conference to bring together science citizens and create science and technology roadmaps of the city's scientific expertise.

Further plans during the coming year include developing a Newcastle Innovation Machine to help create new science businesses.

A report due to be presented to the Newcastle City Council executive committee next week recommends that the council agrees to commit almost £2m towards the next phase of the programme and sets up Newcastle Science City as a company limited by guarantee.

The report also lists the likely next steps in the Science City development which include recruiting new partners and appointing an executive architect to advise the Science City board.

Work will also continue with schools to promote science and related subjects. There will also be activities to engage the public from March 2009 to raise awareness of science across communities and fully inform residents about Science City.