Design Team submit planning application for HMRC’s Pilgrim’s Quarter complex     

Now that the euphoria of the recent HMRC announcement regarding bringing 9,000 staff into the city centre by 2027 has settled, the priority is to move on at pace with planning and demolition works for the Pilgrim’s Quarter scheme on behalf of the developer, Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Ltd.

The first step in this process was the submission of the planning application for the 463,000sq ft Grade A office scheme – which was submitted on Friday.

Matt Verlander, Director, Planning, Development and Regeneration, Avison Young comments. “Avison Young, as Planning Consultant, and the design team have been working with the City Council since January of this year to develop the planning application for the Pilgrim’s Quarter scheme. This has included the consideration of a wide range of options and design approaches in order to carefully consider how best to develop the site whilst also assessing the potential impacts of the project.”

He adds. “The planning application was submitted to the City Council on Friday and marks a significant milestone for the project. We look forward to continuing to with the City Council to progress the scheme to the Council’s Planning Committee in spring 2022.”

Gordon Hewling, Principal and Regional MD, Avison Young comments: “This is the culmination of over 18 months of hard work by Avison Young in respect of Pilgrim’s Quarter itself, and over two decades of involvement in the wider Pilgrim Street development. This is exactly the type of project which demonstrates the strength of the Avison Young regional network of offices, with commercial advice provided by the whole team in respect of the deal structure, agency, planning, property management and project management advice.”

“All of these services have been provided from the Newcastle office. It follows our involvement on similar schemes in Birmingham and Nottingham, building on our expertise at the interface of the public and private sectors.”

“Over the coming years, we look forward to managing the delivery of this landmark building, which will be a major catalyst in the regeneration of the city centre and which will anchor the redevelopment which is taking place along the whole of Pilgrim Street.”

Chris Turnbull, Director at Avison Young and Project Manager for the scheme adds “Progressing the site wide demolition and enabling works over the next 12 months are critical to the overall success of the construction programme. Avison Young are delighted to be involved in such a complex high-profile project and very much look forward to the challenge ahead.”