Green light for Newcastle aparthotel

Belgravia Investment Group will redevelop the grade two-listed 1 Old Eldon Square into 13 serviced apartments across three floors.

Hedley Planning Services, which secured the consent on behalf of the developer, said that the proposals will have little to no impact on the historic fabric of the building and will secure the long-term future of the heritage asset.

The professional team also includes architect NORR and heritage advisor Sarah Dyer.

A café/restaurant with exterior seating overlooking Old Eldon Square will also be included as part of ambitions to repurpose the vacant building, originally designed in the early 19th century by architects Thomas Oliver and John Dobson for Richard Grainger.

Sean Hedley, managing director of Hedley Planning Services, said: “This is an exciting regeneration investment that will bring an important historic location back to life. The serviced rooms and studios will deliver a much-needed style of flexible visitor accommodation. In Newcastle city centre a demand exists for alternative visitor accommodation to a non-distinct hotel room.

“As planners, we want to see the creation and successful delivery of heritage projects that leave a long-lasting legacy. In achieving this, we are able to make a valuable contribution to clients’ plans and design ambitions, reducing the likelihood of objections on heritage grounds and in doing so, helping to transform our listed buildings and historic properties for generations to come.”

The news comes as Hedley Planning Services has also secured planning approval on behalf of the Vaulkhard Group to transform the 1980s-built Pacific House on Northumberland Road in a mixed-use scheme led by 50 student bedrooms.

The lower ground floor, which is currently used for storage space, will become a pool bar with the ground floor turned into a commercial space.