D-Day set for plans to convert listed South Shields building
Decision day for apartments at listed ex-Barclays Bank in King Street.
Plans to convert a listed former bank building in South Shields town centre into a large apartment complex are due to go before councillors for decision.
South Tyneside Council’s planning committee will discuss and vote on plans for the change of use of the former Barclays Bank site in King Street from "office and financial services" to residential.
Plans were previously approved to “decommission” the bank use at the Grade II-listed site as the banking chain relocated to a new location along King Street.
The final application due to be discussed by councillors at South Shields Town Hall next week seeks planning permission for 20 apartments over four floors and a ground floor retail unit.
The overall housing mix includes 16 one-bed apartments, two, two-bed apartments and two one-bed studio apartments.
Planning documents note that each apartment would have a "separate lounge and kitchen, and a bathroom, in addition to the bedroom", while the proposed studio apartments would have a "large combined bedroom/lounge/kitchen, and a separate bathroom".
In addition, there would be cycle storage in the basement to serve all apartments and refuse storage would be shared with the retail unit on the ground floor, planning documents state.
The applicant is named in planning documents as Regal Bifrons Properties Ltd and the application site address includes 1 King Street, 2 Fowler Street and the upper floors of 4-8 Fowler Street.
During a council public consultation exercise on the plans there were no representations submitted to the local authority.
Council planning officers, in a report published ahead of a decision-making meeting scheduled for June 23, 2026, have recommended the apartments scheme for approval, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.
Council planners said that "significant benefits arise from the proposed development", including "contribution to addressing the council’s current, acute housing land supply/delivery deficiencies" and economic benefits around "increased footfall for local businesses which would support the vitality and viability of the town centre".
It was also noted that the plans would "secure the viable re-use of currently vacant listed and locally listed buildings" and that there were no "adverse impacts which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the substantial benefits".
The council committee report adds: "The proposed development would be acceptable in principle, and in terms of the impact on residential amenity, heritage assets, visual amenity, crime and anti-social behaviour, highway safety and parking, biodiversity, drainage and flooding."
A decision on the plan is due at the planning committee next week, which is open to the public and scheduled to start at 10am.
For more information, visit the council's planning portal website and search for reference 250670.