A comprehensive redevelopment of a key site within the heart of Gateshead Town Centre. The existing Trinity Centre, built in the 1960’s, is dominated by a multi-storey car park best known for its association with the 1971 film ‘Get Carter’. Whilst the building provided a distinctive form and profile for Gateshead town centre, it was not successful in terms of its function and has suffered from structural problems associated with poor construction. The town centre has also suffered from competition from Newcastle City Centre and the major out-of-centre retail and leisure development at the Gateshead Metrocentre.
The proposed mixed-use redevelopment of the site is seen as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Gateshead Town Centre.

Key elements of the scheme include an anchor retail store, a range of retail, service and leisure units, hotel, offices, health centre, car parking and a new public square along with a purpose built student village providing 1,000 student apartments with associated social and management facilities. An integrated CCHP facility is proposed to serve the development.

Services Provided
DPP is providing ongoing advice in relation to the planning strategy and has a key project management role in co-ordinating actions from the project team in relation to planning related issues and the preparation of a detailed planning application submission including an Environmental Impact Assessment. This has involved extensive liaison with the local planning authority and key stakeholders.
DPP Heritage has provided specialist heritage advice in response to a campaign to add the building to the statutory list of buildings of architectural or historic interest.

Achievements
As the result of an application submitted by DPP Heritage on behalf of the client and Gateshead Council a Certificate of Immunity for the Trinity Centre was granted in December 2008. This certificate provides immunity from statutory designation as a listed building for the next five years and has enabled demolition works to commence.