South Shields landmark pub The Beacon is to be turned into apartments

The Beacon, in Greens Place, Lawe Top, South Shields, has been serving drinks since the late 1800s, but now South Tyneside Council’s planning committee has given the go-ahead for it to be transformed into seven apartments – with space for three parking bays.

Gary Craig, of Gary Craig Building services, in Whitburn, is the architect behind the transformation – which will see the apartments being spread between four and five floors as the building is on a slope.

Mr Craig said: “We’re naturally all delighted that the plans have went through without any problems.

“We’re hoping to get started as soon as possibly but we do have to wait for building regulations to come through, which can take a little while.”

Mr Craig also revealed that a potential buyer for one of the apartments has already been in touch.

He said: “We couldn’t believe it that we’ve already had interest from a potential buyer so soon.

“That’s pretty good going considering they haven’t even been built yet.

“Mind you, once they are all up, people living in the apartments will have some excellent views of the sea.”

The new building, which will have white walls with dark grey frames and balconies, will look different to the other buildings on the street.

This is due to building regulations requiring level access, where it can be achieved, which, together with the sloping site, has made it impossible to maintain original floor levels or to match to the floor heights of adjoining dwellings.