Plans submitted for the £50m NESST Centre

DPP has submitted plans to build a new North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) in Newcastle. DPP put forward the proposals on behalf of Northumbria University.

The proposals are for the construction of a five to seven storey building, including partial re-use of the existing structure, to create a new facility for world-leading education and research at Northumbria University.

The NESST Centre, which will be delivered in partnership with the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin, has been designed by Ryder Architecture and will replace the existing Wynne Jones building, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The building will contain spaces for Northumbria University and its commercial partner Lockheed Martin, including satellite manufacturing and testing facilities, Harvard style lecture theatre and mission control centre, NUSTEM engagement spaces, partner offices, electrical and laser communications laboratories, open plan PhD spaces and academic offices, student hub and collaborations spaces.

Research and development undertaken in NESST will reinforce the UK and regional space cluster, positioning the UK as a global leader in optical satellite communications, space weather and space-based energy. Economic assessments suggest NESST will deliver 350 net total FTE jobs and generate £264m in net total GVA over 30 years.

Helen Marks, Director at DPP, said: “We have really enjoyed working with the University and Ryder Architecture to prepare the planning application submission for this exciting project for the city of Newcastle. The proposals have also benefitted from collaborative working with representatives from the City Council at the pre application stage which has greatly facilitated the process to date.”