Builder/developer Downing has secured Development Protection Regulator (BSR) Gateway 2 acclaim for a big scholar lodging scheme in Newcastle town centre, however no longer with really extensive prolong.
Downing can now start building of a 411-bed purpose-built studio lodging scheme on Newcastle’s Heber Side road in March 2026, marking a milestone within the ultimate section of its Downing Plaza masterplan. However it’s all months later than deliberate.
Downing submitted the Gateway 2 software in February 2025, aiming to have begun building via now and welcome scholars from September 2027. Because of regulatory delays, the mission secured approval after 42 weeks, on 27th November, pushing each the development get started date and the overall career date again via three hundred and sixty five days, to September 2028.
Designed via Simpson Haugh Architects, the scheme will ship one development made up of 3 obviously outlined sections, emerging to ten, 12 and 14 storeys. The improvement is focused on a BREEAM Superb score, with a spread of sustainable options constructed into the design.

The improvement represents the concluding section of Downing Plaza, a metamorphosis of the previous Newcastle & Brown Brewery web site that has already delivered educating area for Newcastle College Industry Faculty, greater than 1,800 scholar bedrooms, a 183-bed lodge and demanding retail area.
Downing construction supervisor David Jenkinson stated: “Securing Gateway 2 approval is a big step ahead for our Heber Side road construction, and we’re overjoyed to now be shifting against a get started on web site. Heber Side road is one among a number of thrilling tasks in our pipeline as we boost up our technique throughout key UK towns together with Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow and London. We’re desperate to convey this newest scheme to existence, developing a contemporary, inspiring house for Newcastle’s rising scholar group.”
He added: “This in reality is a testomony to Downing’s dedication to the Development Protection Rules. We’ve made a considerable up-front funding to protected the extent of detailed design wanted for the submission, and the mission group has labored extremely exhausting, each in making ready the preliminary software and in responding to regulatory comments right through the method. Whilst the prolong within the approval timeline is disappointing, it’s encouraging to have our first approval finished, and we’re able to take what we’ve discovered ahead into long term programs.”
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