Planning approval for landmark Castle Leazes redevelopment in Newcastle

• Unite Students and Newcastle University have received planning committee approval to redevelop former 1,250-bed Castle Leazes into 2,000 –beds of new accommodation.
• The planning approval is a vital step in forming the joint venture between the two.
• Total development cost will be c.£250 million and Unite will act as development and asset manager.

Unite Students and Newcastle University have been granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the university’s Castle Leazes student accommodation.

The project forms part of a joint venture between the university and the UK’s largest, owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), which is the first of its kind in the UK.

The decision by Newcastle City Council marks a significant step forward in the university’s and Unite Students’ commitment to providing modern and sustainable living spaces for students, following extensive consultation with the local community.

The approved plans will see the comprehensive redevelopment of the Castle Leazes site, creating a vibrant student village that meets the evolving needs of the university’s student population. The new site will create 2,000 new, purpose-built bedrooms at the university’s Castle Leazes site, which will reopen in time for the 2028/9 academic year.

Additionally, plans for the construction of new path across Leazes Moor to improve accessibility to the main university campus have also been approved.

Newcastle City Council’s planning committee highlighted that the development will provide significant benefits to the local economy and job market, and also help to boost the university’s income stream and ability to attract students to the city.

Key aspects of the approved plans include:

• Modern and sustainable design:
  • Energy-efficient buildings designed with sustainability at their core.
  • A range of room types, designed to meet diverse student requirements.

• Enhanced community spaces:
  • Increased communal areas, including social hubs, games rooms, study spaces, and outdoor courtyards, designed to foster a sense of community.

• Contribution to the City:
  • The project will contribute to the city’s housing strategy by providing purpose-built student accommodation, helping to alleviate pressure on the private rental market.

The original Castle Leazes buildings were designed and built in the 1960s and did not deliver the standard of accommodation that modern students expect. Demolition of the site began in June 2024, and construction of the reimagined Castle Leazes is expected to commence from Autumn 2025.

Nick Collins, Chief Financial Officer, Newcastle University, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for this important project. The redevelopment of Castle Leazes is a key part of our strategy to enhance the student experience by providing high-quality student accommodation in accessible locations. It allows us to attract students to the city who provide significant economic value and vibrancy to the city and the wider regional economy.

“We are pleased that the committee agreed that this was a well-designed proposal and importantly that it is sustainable, both in terms its location and sustainable travel accessibility, but also through the projected energy and carbon reduction through enhanced efficiency and on-site renewable energy generation.”

Joe Lister, Chief Executive, Unite Students said: “Receiving planning permission for the redevelopment of Castle Leazes is a major step in the formation of our joint venture with Newcastle University, strengthening our existing partnership. By increasing the number of beds at Castle Leazes, more students will be able to live close to campus in high-quality accommodation, as well as freeing up private rental homes for families elsewhere in the city.

“This joint venture is the first of its kind and shows the significant opportunity Unite Students has to become the partner-of-choice for universities as they seek to unlock the potential of their campuses to deliver new accommodation and access new funding.”

-ENDS –

Notes to Editors

For Unite Students’ enquiries, please contact the press office on 0117 4506300 or email: press.office@unitestudents.com

For Newcastle University enquiries, please contact press.office@ncl.ac.uk

About Unite Students

Unite Students is the UK’s largest owner, manager, and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

With more than 150 properties in 23 leading university towns and cities, Unite Students is home to around 70,000 students, living predominantly in en-suite study bedrooms with rents covering bills, insurance, and 24-hour security.

Driven by a common purpose: to provide a ‘Home for Success’ to live, work and invest, Unite Students is committed to raising standards in the student accommodation sector with the support of over 60 university partners.

Founded in 1991 in Bristol, the Unite Group is an award-winning Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit Unite Group’s corporate website www.unitegroup.com or the Unite Students’ site www.unitestudents.com.

About Newcastle University

Newcastle University, UK, is a thriving international community of more than 28,000 students from over 130 countries worldwide.

As a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the UK, Newcastle has a world-class reputation for research excellence in the fields of medicine, science and engineering, social sciences and the humanities.

Its academics are sharply focused on responding to the major challenges facing society today. Research and teaching are world-leading in areas as diverse as health, culture, technology and the environment.

Newcastle is committed to providing students with excellent, research-led teaching delivered by dedicated and passionate teachers.

Newcastle University is ranked 129th in the QS World Ranking 2025 and joint 157th in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025.

Newcastle University is Top 100 in the world for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.