Historic building earmarked for apartment conversion

Plans have been lodged to transform a number of grade II-listed buildings in the centre of Newcastle, which were constructed in the 1830s for Richard Grainger, into apartments.Applicant West Wicklow Property Three Ltd acquired 10-18 Hood Street, 22-28 Pilgrim Street and 2-10 Market Street in 2016.The upper floors are predominantly vacant office space while units on Hood Street are used as a dental practice. The ground floors comprise a mix of retail and commercial space.Under the plans, the properties will be transformed to provide 40 apartments with the main entrance at 12 Hood Street.The units will be made up of four studios, six one-bed flats, 16 two-bed apartments, four two-bed homes with mezzanine floors, nine three-bedroom apartments and one three-bed unit with a mezzanine.There will also be an entrance lobby with access to a central courtyard and a new lift will be installed.A planning statement from Lichfields said the proposed scheme “promotes the continued regeneration of Grainger Town through the re-use and conversion of vacant or underused upper floors to residential use, bringing them back in to their original use”.”It is evident that the proposals will make a positive economic, social and environmental contribution to Newcastle upon Tyne,” it added.The development was designed by Mosedale Gillatt Architects.