The transformation of an historic hall in Newcastle into luxury properties has been unanimously approved by Newcastle City Council planning committee.
The move is set to breathe new life into Pendower Hall in the city’s west end with the conversion of the Grade II listed building by developer and property specialist Fenham Properties Ltd into four multi bedroomed luxury properties, together with the construction of a new dwelling within the 2ha plot of land.
Built for Quaker banker J W Pearce in 1867, Pendower Hall had been used by the council as a school prior to being turned into an education training centre before laying empty for over a decade.
The ‘exciting’ plans for the hall, which is set over four floors, will see the properties constructed with independent entrances, kitchens, dining facilities, reception rooms, ensuites and bathrooms. The ground floor will accommodate reception rooms, kitchen facilities, bathrooms, and some bedrooms while the first and second floors will have new bedrooms, bathrooms and storage incorporated with plot four featuring some office space.
The implementation of a heritage-led design scheme is set to add to the location’s appeal with the retention of existing materials and colour schemes as part of a modern architecture approach. The use of stone elements, modern full-height glazing and lightweight metal building materials on the listed property will also add eye-catching detail.
A wellness facility, which will include a gym, steam room, sauna, swimming pool and changing facilities, will also be installed.
Externally, proposed hard and soft landscaping will include a new pedestrian path, the relocation of existing piers and gates, the installation of iron railings, and stone wall with rail and vehicle parking.
Now that the project has been greenlit, onsite building work is expected to start by the end of the year.
According to Alex Franklin, associate director at Hedley Planning, who oversaw the planning application, redevelopment is a step closer to the restoration of one of Newcastle’s heritage assets.
“This decision is great news and we now look forward to moving to the next phase of an exciting redevelopment project. This is an important city site, so bringing new life and purpose to the building will deliver benefits to the local community and heralds major changes to this part of the city.
“As planners, we always want to see urban regeneration of brownfield sites and the re-purposing of existing buildings to deliver a strong legacy.”
Heritage consultant Sarah Dyer provided a heritage statement to accompany the planning and listed building consent for the proposed works.