Eight homes at Gateshead Council Depot The Court Yard, Gateshead

What was proposed

The application proposed converting and extending an existing building for two homes, replacing eastern buildings with six homes, and providing parking and landscaping.

“13 The existing buildings at the eastern part of site are proposed to be demolished and replaced with and 6no. 2 storey dwellings (with 2 dwellings having rooms in the roof), including built development extending further north.”

“28 The existing signage structure in the south eastern part of the site is proposed to be removed. The submission does not propose a location for the replacement of the structure, and it is also noted that a separate application for advertisement consent would be required for the display of a sign elsewhere.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a vacant former activity centre within Whinney House grounds, in the Saltwell Conservation Area and treated as a grade II heritage asset.

“2 The site is located west of Durham Road in Low Fell and within the wider grounds of Whinney House (historically part of the estate land), the specific site itself being located south east of Whinney House.”

“10 The site is within Saltwell Conservation Area and is identified as a curtilage heritage asset to Whinney House and is therefore treated as if listed grade II.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered an abseil tower and residential conversion and development within Whinney House grounds; related listed building consent remains pending.

“33 DC/10/00885/LBC - LISTED BUILDING CONSENT: change of use from residential Talmudic College to 15 residential units, incorporating conservation, restoration and minor demolition works and erection of associated enabling development of 16 residential units with associated car parking, access, landscaping arrangements and repairs to fountain and seating alcoves (amended 26/10/10 and 05/11/10) - Granted 23.12.2010”

“39 DC/25/01045/LBC - LISTED BUILDING CONSENT: Conversion and extension of existing building at western part of site to provide 2 dwellings, demolition of existing buildings at eastern part of site and erection of 6no. 2.5 storey dwellings, including associated parking, tree removal, replacement planting and removal of existing signage structure at south eastern part of site.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable for housing, heritage, highways, amenity, ecology, trees, drainage, ground conditions and digital infrastructure, subject to conditions.

“1 On 16 December 2025, the Government published a consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework. Whilst broad changes to the structure of the NPPF are proposed as part of this consultation, these proposals could be subject to further change and can only be given limited weight at this stage. Consequently, the assessment of this application has had regard to the NPPF published in December 2024.”

“2 The key considerations to be taken into account when assessing this planning application are housing policy, visual amenity and heritage assets, residential amenity, highway safety and parking, ecology, trees, ground conditions and digital infrastructure.”

Officer report

What residents said

Supporters cited the derelict site, housing need, restoration and design, while objectors cited traffic, parking, tree loss, heritage, amenity, ecology and construction concerns.

“- Good use of derelict site and bringing historic buildings back into use - Would deliver much needed housing, particularly of this type (rather than a higher number of smaller houses) - Disruption to surroundings and ecology anticipated to be low…”

“- Unsafe increase in traffic - Access road is single track, unlit and there is no pedestrian footway - Increased parking demand and subsequent impact on accessibility of roads (including for servicing and emergency services vehicles) - Insufficient and poorly located parking provision, and subsequent impact on residential amenity through car headlights - Cycle parking provision poorly located - Loss of trees and subsequent impact on amenity and wildlife; minimal replacement…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Duggan spoke for Low Fell residents against the application, and the applicant spoke in favour.

The decision

“That permission be GRANTED subject to the following condition(s) and that the Service Director of Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport be authorised to add, vary and amend the planning conditions as necessary. 1 Unless otherwise required by condition, the development shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved plan(s) as detailed below - LOCATION PLAN/SITE PLAN UN-007 PL-01 REV C LOCATION PLAN/COLOURED SITE PLAN UN-007 PL-01-1 REV C LOCATION PLAN/B&W SITE PLAN UN-007 PL-01-2 REV B BOUNDARY AND TREATMENTS PLAN UN-007 PL-06 REV D REFUSE TRACKING PLAN UN-007 PL-09 REV D ELEVATIONS UN-007 PL-02 REV B PRPOSED PLANS UN-007 PL-03 REV A CONVERSION PROPOSED PLANS AND ELEVATIONS UN-007 PL-05 REV A NATIONAL SPACE STANDARDS UN-007 PL-10 REV A SITE CROSS SECTIONS S3Di_047 PL-06-1 Design and Access Statement APRIL 2026 REV C A”

Minutes, 15 Jul 2026