Serviced apartment plans advance in Newcastle’s Bigg Market area

UK: The floors above a Newcastle TJ Hughes store are set to be redeveloped and turned into short-stay serviced flats after authorities recommended the planning application be approved.

While not yet approved by councillors, the current edition of the scheme has been edited down and is expected to go through after presentation to Newcastle’s planning committee this Friday.

Developer TS R1’s blueprint calls for the basement and ground floor to remain as retail space, while the upper floors — including a two-storey extension — would hold space for 166 serviced apartments, fitness centre and games room.

Previous plans were shot down over historical concerns. Built in 1837, the building overlooks Bigg Market; heritage group Historic England warned it could become a “looming presence.” The newer plan cuts down from a three-storey extension including 250 studio and one-bedroom units.

City officials now say the scheme is acceptably dialed back.

“The proposed change of use and associated works to the ground floor to short stay apartments would promote the regeneration within the Bigg Market area and ensure that a vacant historic building does not lie empty in such a prominent location,” planning authorities said. “The site is within a sustainable city centre location and is considered convenient for occupiers of the proposed hotel and leisure uses in terms of access to local facilities with good transport connections nearby.”

Highlights:

• Newcastle planning authorities have recommended approval for TS R1’s revised scheme to convert floors above a TJ Hughes department store into 166 serviced apartments, with the basement and ground floor retaining retail use.
• The current proposal reduces the previous plan from 250 units across a three-storey extension to 166 units with a two-storey extension, following objections that the original design would create a “looming presence” overlooking the historic Bigg Market area.
• Amenities planned for the development include a fitness centre and games room
• The application is scheduled to be presented to Newcastle’s planning committee on Friday, with authorities citing the scheme’s contribution to Bigg Market regeneration and prevention of long-term vacancy of a historic city centre structure.