Newcastle's Live Theatre has received planning permission for its plans to develop LiveWorks, a £10m capital development scheme on the city's Quayside.
The last remaining prime Quayside plot of land and buildings alongside the theatre was purchased in February this year and plans were developed to create new commercial office space, a new public park and a children and young people’s writing centre. (See our news story.)
Once complete, LiveWorks will create new revenue streams for the core creative and educational work of Live Theatre and transforming this part of the Quayside.
Jim Beirne, Chief Executive, Live Theatre said, "We are delighted that planners have given approval to the LiveWorks scheme and are excited to move the project through the archaeological survey and then onto the next phase of design and build.
"The development will create new commercial offices, a public park and writing centre for young people. Once complete LiveWorks will provide many future opportunities for businesses, artists, children and young people.
"The project will also help to secure an income for the core work of Live Theatre into the future."
Paul Callaghan, Chair of Live Theatre and Chair of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said, "This wonderful project is not just significant for Live Theatre but also for Newcastle and Gateshead as a whole. It will be an amazing place for people of all ages, but particularly for children and young people.
"This key site has stood empty for too long and we are delighted that we are going to be able to transform it into something so special."
The purchase of the land and buildings and the development of the site has been supported by a prudential loan of £6 million from Newcastle City Council and a £1.73 million grant from the North East European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2007 to 2013.
£8 million has already been secured to allow Live Theatre to purchase the land and buildings next to the Theatre, and for the development of additional office space on the Quayside, with other statutory and private sector fundraising being sought.
Additional fundraising is taking place to create a children’s and young people’s writing centre, to inspire young people through creative writing and literacy projects.