The Site is located within and to the north of Northumbria University’s City Campus, and is bound by Northumbria University buildings to the south, Sandyford Road to the north and west, and Day Street to the east.

The existing Lipman building, that occupies the Site is currently being demolished as it is no longer fit for purpose following water damage.

Given the Site’s location, it is readily accessible by foot and is in close proximity to the city’s main bus station (Haymarket), and Tyne and Wear Metro, with two stations nearby – Jesmond and Haymarket. The Site is also located approximately 1.4km from Newcastle Train Station.

The Proposed Development is for the erection of a new building of circa 7,500sqm for the purpose of education and research, to be occupied by the Faculty of Engineering and Science at Northumbria University.

The demolition of the existing Lipman Building, no longer suited to modern day teaching practices and in poor condition, was granted on 6th February 2026 (ref. 2025/1986/01/NOD) by way of a separate prior approval consent. The demolition has now commenced and is due to be completed by January 2027.

It is currently proposed that the new building will be approximately four to five storeys of accommodation with plant at roof level, and that it will consist of research and teaching laboratories for Bioscience and Chemistry.

The development will deliver lasting impact by:

• Strengthening the University’s research infrastructure to compete nationally and internationally for talent and funding;
• Creating an inspiring environment that accelerates high quality research outputs and knowledge exchange;
• Embedding practice based and experiential learning at the heart of the University’s research culture;
• Extending and updating laboratory facilities to enhance student experience;
• Demonstrating the University’s commitment to sustainability through development of an environmentally friendly design that reduces their carbon footprint; and
• Enhancing the campus with a modern building that reflects the University’s ambition and research excellence. 

It is also proposed that the building will create a new gateway to the northern edge of the Northumbria University campus, with an improved pedestrian arrival zone. The main entrance to the building will be positioned off this new arrival to the southeast of the building, with a secondary entrance located to the south of the building for building services.