About the Town Deal - Newcastle-under-Lyme

Newcastle Town Deal timeline

2019

The government announces details of 100 new ‘Town Deals’ as part of a commitment to ensuring that communities across the UK could benefit from shared prosperity. Newcastle, along with Kidsgrove, was one of the lucky 100.

2020

January: a Newcastle Town Deal board is formed. The boundary for the Newcastle Town Deal, is approved by government.

Spring: a call for project ideas from the community, of which 47 suggestions were received.

Summer: working with ourselves and consultants, AECOM, the board worked hard to put together a ‘Town Investment Plan’ (TIP) that would bring real and lasting economic benefits to the Newcastle Town Deal area.

July: Newcastle is awarded £1,000,000 Advanced Town Deal funding. Town Deal Board approves expenditure on a range of projects in Newcastle town centre and Knutton Village.

Autumn/Winter: development of the Town Investment Pan continues.

2021

January: the TIP is submitted

February: project sub groups are formed to take forward the next stage of project development.

June: the Newcastle Town Deal Board receives an offer of £23.6 million to deliver the projects outlined in the TIP.

November: consultants, Stantec are appointed to support the Town Deal Board in developing business cases for the individual projects that will be approved by government.

2022

May: community consultation takes place on the projects.  

June: business cases* submitted to government for 8 Newcastle Town Deal projects:

  • Cross Street, Chesterton
  • Digital Society Centre
  • electric vehicle (EV) Charging Points
  • key gateway sites
  • Knutton
  • smart Newcastle digital infrastructure
  • sustainable transport solutions
  • town centre permeability

December: confirmation that the 8 projects had been approved for delivery.

2023

March: First real time bus information totems installed at Keele University

March: Astley Centre for Circus business case submitted to government.

June: planning permission granted for football changing rooms at the Wammy

July: planning permission granted for extension of Newcastle Business Centre in Knutton.

August: Astley Centre for Circus project approved by government

September: planning permission granted for Keele in Town

November: phase 1 permeability project complete with installation of a pedestrian crossing at Gallowstree Lane Roundabout

2024

February: launch of the Philip Astley Centre

Spring: planning permission for development of housing at High Street Knutton

Autumn: planned launch of new circular bus route.Autumn: Keele in Town opens

2025

Work continues on all projects to bring them to completion.

2026

March: end date for Town Deal funding