'Fits with our policy' - Councillors give go-ahead for 15 apartments next to landmark South Shields building
The large building next to former Riddicks site was originally used as retail units at ground floor level with offices above.
Plans to create more than a dozen new apartments at a prominent town centre building have been given the seal of approval by councillors.
South Tyneside Council’s planning committee has backed a development for 15 new apartments at 24-26 Fowler Street in South Shields.
The large building, which sits adjacent to the landmark former Riddicks site, was originally used as retail units at ground floor level with offices above.
The development is proposed for the part of the building adjacent to the ex-Riddicks building.
The Virgin Money commercial unit, and the floors directly above it, are not included in the planning application.
Proposals for 24-26 Fowler Street include new apartments, a mansard-style roof and rendered facade, new windows and doors to part of the building, new conservation rooflights and a new shop front.
The plans include four one-bed apartments and 11 one-bed studios, with three studios arranged across the basement and ground floor and other apartments and studios distributed across upper floors.
Each apartment would have a separate lounge and kitchen and a shower room /bathroom, in addition to the bedrooms, while the studio apartments would have a combined bedroom/lounge/kitchen and a separate shower room.
The plan was also amended during the planning process with “alternative arrangements” made for a shared courtyard, bin store and cycle parking, as well as “increased glazing / natural light” to the basement accommodation.
During a public consultation on the plan there were no neighbour representations submitted and council planning officers recommended the apartments for approval.
South Tyneside Council’s planning committee approved the application at a crunch meeting on Tuesday, August 25, at South Shields Town Hall.
Following questions from councillors, council planners confirmed the development would be managed rented accommodation and noted there was an intention to use the ground floor retail space as a ‘property management base’.
Planning officers added that it would be “difficult to accommodate a lift in the building” and referenced the wider challenges around reusing historic buildings and the extent to which they can be altered.
Councillor Shirley Ford noted the plans would change the symmetry of the building’s “distinctive frontage” but added that reusing an empty building was an important benefit.
She added: “I think the overall benefit of bringing that large vacant property back into use fits with our policy of having more people living in the town centre.”
For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 250800.