Newcastle’s Hadrian House plans narrowly scrape through
Proposals from Argon and Sona Estates to demolish the eight-storey office building on Higham Place and replace it with a 507-bed PBSA scheme have passed the council’s planning committee by four votes to three.
It is expected the demolition of Hadrian House will take around six months, with a 30 month build period scheduled to start in October next year.
The demolition would include sections of the interlinked raised walkways dating from the 1970s, which are now subject to anti-social behaviour.
The replacement development will comprise three interconnected buildings, including two tower blocks, with heights ranging up to 21 storeys. The scheme would extend to 23 floors when the lower ground, upper ground, and mezzanine levels are included.
Demolition of Hadrian House itself was previously approved by the council. This latest application also seeks the removal of the linked raised walkway across the Saville Place car park and sections connecting towards Durant Road and the New Bridge Street Hotel.
The PBSA would provide 507 student bedrooms, comprising 57 studios and 450 rooms arranged in clusters.
Communal and ancillary facilities would be provided on the lower floors, while a 2,400 sq ft internal courtyard with raised planters and seating would provide outdoor amenity space for residents.
The development would also create an enhanced pedestrian route and new public realm to the west of the site, alongside associated hard and soft landscaping and engineering works.
The scheme will be car-free, reflecting its city centre location and proximity to public transport and other facilities.
The 0.8-acre site sits within Newcastle’s Urban Core, adjacent to Northumbria University’s campus and within walking distance of city centre amenities and transport links.
During the planning meeting, concerns were raised by councillors about the scheme being too tall for the area, as well as frustration that the development won’t be part of a wider regeneration scheme to improve neighbouring run-down parts of the area.
