A JESMOND community group fighting the redevelopment of a historic Tyneside building into luxury apartments has lodged a formal objection to the scheme.
Members of the Jesmond Residents Association fear plans to create 60 homes within the former La Sagesse school site at Jesmond Towers will spoil a precious conservation area and wipe out valuable open space.
The group is the latest in a line of community associations campaigning against the multi-million pound scheme led by former Newcastle United owner Freddy Shepherd.
In January the Journal revealed his company Shepherd Offshore hoped to transform the Grade II* listed Jesmond Towers into 10 flats, rebuild North Jesmond House to include five apartments and add further homes in a new five-storey complex to the west of the site.
The scheme would be one of the North East’s most expensive housing developments.
But in papers to be presented to Newcastle City Council planning committee, residents outlined concerns that the housing proposals are ‘excessive’ and could ‘over-develop’ that part of Jesmond.
In the three-page document, worried members said that while they welcomed the site’s transformation in principle, they had 12 points of objection including the type of building materials proposed, plans to fell protected trees and access to the North Jesmond House site.
They also asked that a Victorian chapel earmarked for demolition is left untouched and re-incorporated into Mr Shepherd’s plans.
Their report for the council said: “Whilst the association is of the opinion that a redevelopment of the sites is welcome in principle, it has also taken into account the not inconsiderable spectrum of opposition by local residents.”
“It is considered that the density of housing proposed for the North Jesmond House site is excessive. The development also would result in the loss of too much open space which is a key feature of the character of the site in accordance with the Conservation Area Statement.”
In January hundreds of residents protested against plans at a public meeting held at St George’s Church on Osbourne Road.
The Jesmond Action Group is also lobbying residents to air their objections to Newcastle City Council, who are set to make their decision at the end of March.
Mr Shepherd bought the £5m site, which includes the former La Sagesse School, after the institution closed in 2009.
The Roman Catholic private school had occupied Jesmond Towers since 1912.
It is considered that the density of housing proposed for the North Jesmond House site is excessive
