More student beds in Newcastle despite objections

Jan 17 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

TWO schemes which will provide a total of 570 new student bedrooms in Newcastle were backed yesterday.

One of the projects, in Shieldfield, was confirmed although Newcastle Central MP Jim Cousins objected and at an earlier hearing three local councillors objected on the grounds that the area was becoming “saturated” by student accommodation.

But a third bid for 159 student bedrooms was turned down yesterday by the city’s development control committee.

The first scheme by the Lugano Group for 153 bedrooms in a four to six storey building is in the heart of the medieval core of Newcastle behind the TJ Hughes store on a vacant site in Half Moon Yard, next to High Bridge and the Bigg Market.

Newcastle Conservation Area Panel considered that the proposals are a lost opportunity for something much more distinctive.

Planners say the proposed building is very modern and simple in design, which is considered appropriate provided that it is of high quality, in this backland site.

Medieval remains could provide invaluable information about the development of the medieval town and the lifestyle of its inhabitants and an archaeological investigation will be needed.

Also confirmed were plans by Whelan Construction for two six-storey buildings comprising 417 student bedrooms on land north of New Bridge Street and Back New Bridge Street in Shieldfield.

The scheme had been backed by the committee on December 19 subject to conditions.

A letter of objection to from MP Jim Cousins was emailed to the council but due to the unforeseen illness of a member of staff it was not reported to the committee.

As a decision notice has not yet been issued by the council it was judged that yesterday’s committee should be advised of Mr Cousins’s views, which were that no more major student schemes should be approved in Shieldfield.

But the committee reaffirmed its decision of December 19.

The site is to the east of the recently completed City Campus East development of Northumbria Uni- versity.

Ward councillors Stephen Psallidas, Gareth Cooper and Gareth Kane objected on the grounds that they consider Shieldfield to be saturated with student accommodation to a degree which is threatening the sustainability of the area.

They claimed that the high turnover of individuals in student accommodation has a negative effect on community cohesion.

They estimated that permanent residents will make up only 25% of the Shieldfield population by 2010, and that this will halve again if proposed student development at Portland Green goes ahead.

Planners admit that the character of the locality has and is currently changing.

The development of Northumbria University’s City Campus East, with the associated footbridge over the Central Motorway, has introduced a significant change.

This development, along with the now completed student accommodation on Camden Street to the north of the site, for 443 beds and the development of student accommodation along Stepney Lane to the south of the site has clearly had an impact on the character of the locality, they say.

The locality is changing from a commercial area with residential accommodation to an academic quarter.

A scheme by the Moorfield Group for two student blocks totalling 159 bedrooms on land adjacent to Quay Point in Melbourne Street was rejected.

Planners said the scale of the development was considered to be unacceptable.

Medieval remains could provide invaluable information about development of the town