Commercial property advisors GVA has been named as the design team leader to mastermind a £74m investment plan for a Northumberland town.
Heading a consortium appointed by the Arch, the Northumberland Development Company, GVA will act as team managers for the 12 month design period of the Ashington Investment Plan. The other consortium members are North-East based practices Space Group, Mott MacDonald, One Associates and Artis Consulting.
Arch is leading the initial planning stage of the decade long programme — one of the biggest regeneration development schemes in Northumberland — that will invest millions of pounds and bring over 1,000 high-quality jobs to the heart of the former mining town. The initiative will work alongside the county authority’s attempts to regenerate Northumberland’s economy and attract public and private sector investment.
Gordon Hewling is leading the project on behalf of GVA. “We are delighted to be working alongside Arch and the other members of the design team to deliver the Ashington Investment Plan which,” he said, “would transform the town.”
Hewling added that, “along with the other members of the team, we aim to bring our extensive public and private sector experience to the scheme, ensuring the best commercial and technical advice is provided”.
Established as an arms-length development company by Northumberland County Council, Arch is charged with driving investment and economic development, physical regeneration projects and business growth across the county.
Its chairman, Dave Ledger, said: “The Investment Plan is a unique regeneration opportunity and we have selected a team which we feel will deliver an inspiring scheme which is fitting of its location and importance within Ashington town centre.”
“The team has an excellent track record in developing outstanding regeneration projects.”
“Together with their project partners, their experience and insight will create designs that will focus on Ashington and act as a catalyst for economic growth in the town centre and help support successful and sustainable business development in the area,” added Ledger, who is also the county council’s deputy leader.
“We have been tremendously encouraged by the active involvement of local people and stakeholders throughout the engagement events.”
“They have helped shape plans to improve Ashington for people who live, work and study in the area and that will continue during this next stages of the master planning.”
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