The second phase of a project which is transforming a former brownfield site in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, into high quality student accommodation is set to go ahead after the Metnor Group secured a £20m funding package.

Phase two of the development, which is adjacent to Portland Road, Shieldfield, will contain a 338-bedroom accommodation building developed, along with 4,500 square foot of retail / commercial space.

Keith Atkinson, chief executive of the Metnor Group, said: "Regeneration of this area of the city has always been one of our key aims
when developing Portland Green Student Village. From the outset we have engaged local subcontractors to work on this project and we estimate that we have provided work for more than 150 operatives so far, through a difficult period for the North East economy - this is a strategy we aim to continue with phase two.

"With phase two we will strive once again to produce a quality development that will meet the needs of today's modern student, which in turn will help to bring further positive transformation to the area."

The first phase, a 274-bedroom luxury student accommodation building with two retail units, was completed in August 2013.