Postcode NE3 2QX||Where is it? Multimap maplink || Up my Street || Geograph grid ref NZ2168
The western bypass, renamed the A1, cuts the Gosforth and Fawdon parts of NE3 from Kingston Park, which lies to the west of the A1.
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Kingston Park is an 1970s suburb on the western edge of the city. Original residents, who bought their houses as new, say they looked out over fields and there were very few buses. That sense of "almost living in the countryside" has certainly gone. The suburb is connected by Metro to the city centre and the airport, and in 1990 the A1 western bypass opened on the area's doorstep. The area remains popular because of a good supply of relatively affordable family housing with garden space, good transport links (the Metro station and to the A1) and good quality local schools.
Originally there was a single shopping centre, aimed at local residents, with a small supermarket, a butchers, pharmacy and post office, plus a pub. Later Tesco built a larger supermarket over the road from the shopping centre, which caused Presto to close. As the shopping area grew, a new hypermarket Tesco Extra was constructed on land next to the 1980s supermarket which Tesco subsequently demolished.
 Tesco Extra - just after it opened |
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 Brunton Arms Pub (King's Court) demolished in redevelopment |
 Start of demolition work (c 2001) |
 Belvedere retail park |
 BP garage and Volvo dealership prior to redevelopment |
Redevelopment in the Kingston Park area has come about because of the shift of retailing to the edge of cities. Although housing has not yet been directly affected, the balance between retail and the other functions has shifted. This has brought a substantial increase in road traffic to the area. The rugby club also brings in large volumes of traffic on match days. Residents fear that as the Great Park develops, these problems will increase. (The Great Park planning permission specifically excluded retail development within its boundaries.)
Part of Kingston Park is an industrial estate, although many of the units are now given over to quasi-retail functions (kitchens, bathrooms, soft furnishings). The area is dominated by a giant Tesco-extra which replaced a more conventional superstore in 2001. There are also other warehouse stores on the Belvedere Retail Park (eg Comet and Matalan). An MFI store was subdivided at Belvedere in the mid-90s to create an electrical store, Mothercare World and a bed and soft furnishings shop. A drive-in McDonalds was also added around 2000. There is also a Homebase DIY store at Kingston Park and a more locally-focused shopping centre recently remodelled to include Brantano shoes, Boots and Next, and which features a Netto store.
A former petrol station and Volvo dealership has been redeveloped since 2003 as another retail area. This includes PC World and a Marks & Spencer Simply Food outlet (despite initial assurances the development would be 'non food').
There are few community facilities beyond the local primary school, a community hall and grassed play areas. There is a private Springs health club and the Newcastle Falcons Rugby club (which has extended its stadium).
Kingston Park's new neighbour is the Great Park development which is blamed by local residents for the sudden expansion of retailing at Kingston Park and the associated increase in traffic. (Retailing was excluded from the Great Park development.) Brunton Road marks the northern edge of Kingston Park and the southern edge of the Great Park. At the time the council describes the 'park' as a strategic investment site. Many protested at this greenfield development on green belt land.
A residents permit parking scheme has been brought in to alleviate problems (especially on match days).
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Last checked May 2009.
All photos © Kay Williams 2001-3.