Riverside Regeneration Enters Next Phase

Engineering works to transform a derelict former industrial site into a vibrant riverside development are entering a major phase.

Construction of a new quay edge wall at Holborn, South Shields, has got underway.

It is part of wider civil engineering works being carried out to turn former brownfield land and disused docks into a thriving quarter for living and working.

John F Hunt Regeneration Ltd has begun work to build the new wall, which will involve driving piles into the riverbed.

The new quay edge will be 1.8 metres higher than the existing wall, which will lift the former docks out of the flood zone.

The raised level will be created using materials gained by removing 'ballast hills' on the wider site.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said: "The new quay edge wall is a key element of the civil engineering works at Holborn, which will prepare this nine-hectare site for its transformation into a fantastic new riverside location.

"This area has been largely derelict for many years and bears the hallmarks of its former heavy industrial use, which are currently constraints to development.

"The civil engineering works are needed to overcome these significant site issues and make it suitable to bring forward a mixed use development that will deliver family homes and office space, creating hundreds of new jobs.

"The raising of the former dry docks will overcome serious flooding issues and three of the docks will be restored to preserve the area's industrial heritage.

Construction of the wall is expected to continue until Spring next year. The wider remediation works will also include regrading of the site, which is currently split level, to create a gentle slope down to the River Tyne

Last year, the scheme secured £1.85m from the government's Brownfield Land Release Fund to help deliver 250 of the new dwellings. It also benefits from £9.4 million Local Enterprise Partnership funding to support delivery of new office space in the Enterprise Zone.

Ben Williams, Chief Executive Officer of John F Hunt Regeneration, said: "Our works have reached an important phase in delivering this crucial regeneration project for the South Tyneside area.

"Piles will be driven into the riverbed to enable the site to be raised above the flood zone while enabling us to retain three of the original docks; these being an important part of the site's character and industrial heritage.

"We have registered the Holborn site under the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which is independently audited, to ensure we uphold the most robust standards on how our works impact the local community and environment."

Keepmoat, working in partnership with Cussins, are the council's residential development partner, delivering around 350 high-quality family houses and apartments and the associated infrasatructure, including a new riverside promenade.

The project delivers on the council's key priorities of creating the conditions for recovery and investment and invest in the natural and built environment.

Mott MacDonald Limited are acting as the Principal Designer for the civil engineering element of the Holborn scheme, and Driver Project Services are the contract administrators.