Orchestra’s old base could be turned into flats
‘EXCITING’ PLANS FOR SITE ONCE USED FOR REHEARSALS
A DISUSED music centre could be transformed into an “exciting” block of flats. Plans to convert the Northern Sinfonia’s old rehearsal space, in the Jesmond Vale area of Newcastle, into 20 apartments look set to be signed off by council bosses this week.
A developer wants to add an additional storey to the building, next to the Blue Bell pub, to allow it to be converted into housing – though some critics have labelled the scheme “mundane”.
And while some concerns have also been raised about the dangers of bringing new flats to an area that already suffers from parking problems, Newcastle City Council’s planning committee is expected to give its backing to the plans on Friday.
In comments lodged with the council, some neighbours have complained that the design of the flats is “overly cautious” and “bears more similarity to a block of student accommodation”.
Another wrote: “It will be good to see the building being used, however, my concern is around parking. As a resident it is often difficult to park in the street, or neighbouring streets due to the amount of visitors to the area.”
However, applicant Stewart Hindmarsh has said that the new apartments will “enhance and encourage” the area’s move away from student accommodation to family homes.
In a statement, he told the council: “We have assessed the options for the existing building, with a view to demolishing and constructing a new development.
“We have had chartered structural engineers and surveyors carry out a detailed report on the building and it was agreed that whilst the external envelope is aesthetically poor, the existing building is in good structural order and positioned ideally on the site.
“By removing the existing roof structure and refacing the external envelope, we could create an exciting building and by building a new internal structural element we could create new floor levels and roof structure which would make the development financially viable.”
Recommending the proposals for approval, civic centre planners have advised councillors that the project is “acceptable in principle in that it proposes new housing in a predominantly residential setting”.
Their report adds: “The impacts upon neighbours’ residential amenity are considered to be acceptable and the proposal is not detrimental to highway safety.”