Work to redevelop historic buildings under way

Reporter MULTI-MILLION pound plans to redevelop a landmark Georgian square in the heart of a Tyneside town have moved a step closer.

A set of Grade II-listed properties at 13-16 Northumberland Square in North Shields, and the land to the back of the buildings, are to be turned into townhouses and apartments.

North Tyneside Council is preparing to start the first phase of the £5.6m project.

The authority has been granted planning permission to demolish the 1950s extension at the rear of the properties and clear the way for the construction phase to begin in spring 2018.

It is believed the scheme will bring economic benefits to the town, boost businesses and play a central role in the ongoing regeneration of North Shields.

Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “This is a very exciting development that local people and businesses in the square have been keen to see brought forward for some time, as part of the regeneration of North Shields town centre.

“Having planning permission to demolish the extensions means we can now make a start onsite.

“The development will proceed with the utmost care and respect for these historic properties, and I think that local people and businesses in North Shields will be very proud to see them brought back to life.”

The demolition work is expected to take two months to complete. The unofficial car park on Upper Camden Street will remain open to the public throughout the demolition.

An application for full planning permission for the refurbishment and new build elements of the scheme are expected to be decided in October, with the main construction scheduled for spring next year.

The empty properties were used as a base for the council’s legal team.

Northumberland Square itself was designated a conservation area in 1975 and is cited as “the closest thing on Tyneside to the iconic Georgian squares of Edinburgh, Dublin, London and Bath.”