Ryder Cup City moves forward to 2020 vision

The £2 billion regeneration of Newport and its 2020 Vision for the future moves forward as the city prepares to host next year’s Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort. Despite the recent announcement that the Friars Walk retail scheme has been a victim of the credit crunch, numerous other projects are well under way.

The 2020 Vision for Wales’s gateway city includes 150 regeneration projects, £2 billion of investment, two million sq ft of new office space, 11,000 new homes, 825 acres of derelict land reclaimed and still one million sq ft of refurbished retail space.

Today this vision is becoming a reality, with developments across all sectors on site and rapidly transforming the city’s appearance. Between now and next year’s Ryder Cup around £100 million of regeneration projects are due for completion bringing new jobs and more opportunities for investment.

John Burrows, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said:

"'This is a very exciting time for Newport. With four tower cranes at work in the heart of the City and numerous building projects underway around the city centre and inner areas it is clear that regeneration in Newport is moving forward despite global market difficulties affecting the Friars Walk scheme.

"The regeneration programme promoted and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Newport City Council, and the private sector is continuing from strength to strength with projects to increase the number of new jobs, new homes, new environmental improvements, and new education and cultural facilities to stimulate vibrancy, interest and investment in the City."

Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport city council, said:

"The huge scale and diversity of the projects on site in Newport is testament to the enormous potential that the city has. There will be few locations in the UK with such an active and ongoing regeneration programme, particularly during the current economic climate.

"The confidence that businesses and investors have in the city can be seen by the size and scope of the developments we have on site as we focus on turning the 2020 Vision for Newport into a reality."

Despite the current economic downturn, major regeneration projects are underway, including new housing schemes, a new £35m university campus in the city centre and new retail and business developments.

Talks are commencing to replace the Friars Walk retail development, with many other projects on site and nearing completion, or due to start imminently.

In the city centre the new university campus and 1050 space Kingsway car park are on site and making excellent progress. The car park is due to open later this year and will complement the refurbished Kingsway Shopping Centre.

Major progress is being made on the key strategic projects, with public consultation underway on plans to transform the Crindau Gateway to the north of the city including proposals for a new canal basin and marina.

St Modwen, who are developing land on the former Llanwern steelworks, are due on site next year for the first phase of their 4000 home development. The project will see the regeneration of one of Wales’s largest and symbolic brownfield sites, given the devastating job losses at the steelworks just eight years ago.

The first phases of both the City Vizion and Newhaus developments have been built while other housing schemes which will provide in-demand affordable housing around Old Town Dock are due on site this year. On the east side of the River Usk around 500 new properties will have been completed by the end of the year.

Around George Street, the flagship £8.4m Orb office development is complete and its glazed, curved design has created an attractive new city landmark as people approach the city centre from the south. The speculative development will soon have its first tenants, Newport City Homes, who themselves will be creating hundreds of new jobs and investment opportunities for the city.

Network Rail’s £25m redevelopment of the railway station is also due on site shortly, with its plans for an attractive new building and concourse at a key gateway into the city.

In retail, two major new supermarkets are planned with Asda building their new store on the former cattle market site while Tesco are planning to replace their existing premises with a significantly expanded new store on the Newport Retail Park in Spytty.

A new gas-powered power station is being built in Uskmouth, while the former LG site to the west of the city is set to house two new developments, with a £1 million WH Smith distribution centre and a data centre planned for the site.

The city’s historic docks are attracting ‘green industry’ investors with several high profile multi-million pound projects offering new opportunities for the area.

Newport docks is already home to the Sims recycling plant – a world leader for recycling waste electrical goods. This year three renewable energy plants in the docks area have been proposed, with the potential to bring significant investment in a sector predicted to dominate future industrial developments.

Newport City Council is driving forward its own major capital programme, including a £21 million investment in the city’s highways infrastructure – the largest of its kind in Wales.

The council is also committed to a major secondary schools redevelopment programme. The first stage of this, a new £28 million secondary school for Bettws is due to open later this year.

Ends

New face at Newport Unlimited

01/10/09

Gareth Beer, Welsh Assembly Government’s Head of Strategic Regeneration joins Newport Unlimited Urban Regeneration Company for an interim period to head the company prior to the appointment of a new Chief Executive.

Former Chief Executive, John Burrows, whose long term secondment to Newport Unlimited ended in August, returns to a new role in the Welsh Assembly Government.

Despite the current economic climate the future of the city is positive with many regeneration projects underway. Chairman Grant Watson said "The £35m University Campus construction is well under way, building works for the new passenger terminal at Newport Station have recently started and the new Fairlake code 5 sustainable housing scheme has commenced."

A hub of growth and regeneration, Newport is fast becoming an ideal location for business, leisure and entertainment. Being the host city for the 2010 Ryder Cup is a source of huge excitement and opportunity which will enhance Newport’s international profile and reputation.

Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, said "This is an important year for Newport with the Ryder Cup taking place in the Autumn. The Welsh Assembly Government is determined to ensure that Newport Unlimited delivers on both economic and county regeneration and the residents see the benefits of the Ryder Cup for themselves

Councillor Matthew Evans, Leader of Newport City Council said "2010 is going to be a very exciting year for us and Newport Unlimited will continue to play a major role in creating a modern, progressive and successful city."

Chairman Grant Watson added, "Over the last five years John’s time at Newport has been highly successful and has seen the beginnings of the massive transformation of the City. I’d like to thank him for driving the URC and the regeneration programme towards our 2020 Vision for the city. We now look forward to taking the programme to the next stage".

Councillor Evans added "John has lead his team in admirable fashion and ensured his expertise has been used to benefit Newport. We wish him well for future ventures. We welcome Gareth and look forward to forging a relationship that will support Newport’s development."

The URC will continue to be the vehicle through which the partnership of Welsh Assembly Government and Newport City Council working with the private sector will deliver the regeneration of the City.

Newport Unlimited - Urban Regeneration Company