What We Do

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) in its role as a Mayoral Combined Authority has looked to maximise the potential of the reinstated Northumberland Railway Line. The Cabinet endorsed the Northumberland Line Economic Corridor Strategy and agreed an allocation of up to £500k from the North of Tyne Investment fund to establish a Technical Capacity Fund and related capacity for project development in March of 2021; defining this as a Northumberland Line Economic Corridor (NLEC) spatial area of opportunity.

The subsequent adoption of the NLEC Strategy and Framework, and 10 point Plan for delivery, were ratified at Cabinet in September 2022 and in further detail at NTCA’s Investment Panel in April of 2023. This latter 10 Point Plan authorised a specific project enabling the research and analysis into the spatial opportunity for economic growth enabled by the reopening of the Northumberland Line.

This piece of work was to develop evidence about potential future economic growth across the three planning authority areas, with a focus on jobs, land requirements for commercial and retail uses, and housing. It was also to offer some spatial insight around the 8 planned Northumberland Line stations (Newcastle Central; Manors; Northumberland Park; Seaton Delaval; Newsham, Bebside; Bedlington; and Ashington).

Thus, Savills were commissioned in 2022 to develop economic and housing growth scenarios across the NTCA area and to set out the spatial extent of the Northumberland Line Economic Corridor and to identify what potential growth could, in theory be accommodated close to the new stations. Research was completed in 2023 and, after subsequent partner and authority consultation, the report is now published here in full.

An associated joint statement from the three Local Planning Authorities has been issued subsequently to the report’s conclusion:

“The reintroduction of passenger services on the Northumberland Line in Autumn 2024 is expected to stimulate and support economic growth, regeneration and community development in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle, and the wider region, by providing new and improved transport links for local people and businesses.

The NTCA, in conjunction with the three constituent local authorities, has therefore commissioned this study to get a better understanding of the spatial influence of the Northumberland Line Economic Corridor, and different levels of growth that the reintroduction of passenger services may stimulate and support. The evidence from the study does not constitute formal planning evidence for the purposes of plan making, however it may be used to inform future strategies which seek to maximise the economic benefits of the corridor, in a sustainable way”.

Now the NTCA NLEC Growth Study report is finalized, the next steps include:

• Future review under the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA), ensuring findings are addressed under relevant new remit. This in particular to consider: Pattern of demand for Land and Buildings; Quality of Land available and percentage of under occupancy; Quality of current existing housing and commercial stock; and further assessment into Town Centre build viabilities and feasibility.
• Liaison with key stakeholders regards focus and recommendations.
• Ongoing liaison and consultation with all Planning Authorities to enable the ambitious recommendations as set out are considered going forward.
• Setting out Governance processes for the above, as led by NEMCA.

Download the NTCA NLEC Growth Study report.