Ambition for North Shields

What's in the plan

North Tyneside Council has always been about ambition. Our plans for North Shields are no different.

Through a series of bold proposals we are transforming the town centre and Fish Quay into an environment where people choose to live, work and spend their leisure time.

We are improving public transport, pedestrian and cycle access between the town and riverside to create a neighbourhood to be proud of.
By creating new green spaces and revitalising Northumberland Square we are making the town an attractive place to spend time.
We are creating opportunities for a mix of new housing to make a community that sustains North Shields for decades to come.

This is all part of our Ambition for North Tyneside which looks at how we will transform all parts of the borough.

Our main projects are:

What we’ve done already

North Shields Transport Hub and Town Square

A number of major projects and achievements have already been completed in the town including:

January 2025: Work begins on Bedford Street improvements

December 2024: Riverside Embankment Walkway opens to the public

March 2024: Town Square named in honour of Thomas Brown

March 2024: Sale of Unicorn House for new housing

January 2024: Launch of North Shields Cultural Quarter

September 2023: Transport Hub and new Town Square

February 2023: Gateway 3: A187 five-arm roundabout improvements

September 2022: Northumberland Square and Howard Street redevelopment

September 2022: Clifford’s Fort cannon restoration

March 2021: Refurbished public toilets

February 2021: Northumberland Square housing development

September 2020: Wooden Dolly restoration

June 2020: Secured Heritage Action Zone funding

Who is doing it

North Tyneside Council is developing the Ambition for North Shields masterplan in partnership with a number of organisations including North of Tyne Combined Authority, Historic England, Nexus, and Homes England.

Our construction partners are Capita and Willmott Dixon.

Contact us

If you have any questions about our plans for North Shields, or the ongoing regeneration works, you can contact us by:

Email: AmbitionNS@northtyneside.gov.uk

Tel: (0191) 643 4830

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a masterplan?

A masterplan is a long-term planning document that provides a conceptual design to guide future growth and development. A masterplan includes analysis, recommendations, and proposals for a site’s population, economy, housing, transport, community facilities, and land use. It is based on public input, surveys, planning initiatives, existing development, physical characteristics and social and economic conditions.

Why do we need a masterplan for North Shields?

The masterplan provides a framework for regenerating the town centre and the Fish Quay through a series of independent projects to transform the town centre offer. It addresses the key challenges facing the town centre such as changing consumer patterns and visitor expectations.

What are the timescales attached to the masterplan?

The proposals in the masterplan cover the period up until 2035. The timing of development will depend on the availability of funding and developers coming forward with detailed proposals, including how they are going to address any infrastructure requirements. Some sites such as the Transport Hub and Town Square are already breathing new life into the town centre.

How will the regeneration of North Shields town centre and the Fish Quay be funded?

The masterplan document was funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority who understand the importance of North Shields town centre and the Fish Quay to the region’s economy. North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering the projects it contains. The Council will have a vital role in making many of these ideas a reality through bidding for external funding where available. Some of the proposals will depend on private investment and part of the purpose of the masterplan is to facilitate that investment.

When did public consultation happen?

The draft masterplan went to public consultation in Autumn 2020 and was available to comment on in a variety of ways, including online and at 1-2-1 drop-in sessions. Feedback from the consultation was presented to Cabinet and a final masterplan was refined to consider this feedback. As a listening Council, we actively encourage feedback from our residents and businesses, especially during ongoing projects.

What were the outcomes from the public consultation?

Residents, businesses, partners and other interested parties were asked their views on the draft proposals as part of a public consultation to take into consideration when producing the final masterplan. Overall feedback from the consultation was broadly positive and supportive of the proposals with a general agreement that North Shields needs some revitalisation to make the area a better place to live, work and visit. Proposals to improve access between the Fish Quay and town centre, plans to create a transport hub, proposed new housing on the Unicorn House site and improved town centre gateways were all particularly welcomed to ensure the town is well-placed to attract visitors and compliment private sector investment. The majority of businesses in the town were happy to support the plans. The finalised masterplan explains how we hope to help shape North Shields and make sure it is fit for the future.

Find out more

Digital Map

We've created a digital map to illustrate what improvements we have planned as part of the regeneration of North Shields and the Fish Quay.

You can see the digital map here

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For the latest news and updates on regeneration works to North Shields and the Fish Quay, follow us on Facebook.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly digital newsletter to get receive updates on works, community events and North Shields news straight to your inbox. Simply email AmbitionNS@northtyneside.gov.uk to subscribe.

Past issues can be found below.