Scientologists unveil plans for new headquarters

THE Church of Scientology is finally pushing ahead with plans to open a new North East headquarters at a derelict nursing home in Gateshead.

The former Windmill Hills nursing home has lain empty for around a decade, after being purchased by the church in 2007 for a reported £1.5m.

Gateshead Council pressed the church into carrying out emergency repair works at the prominent site earlier this year and plans have now been lodged with the authority for a major redevelopment of the listed building, which is in Half Moon Lane on the edge of the town centre.

The proposals include further repairs to the Victorian building’s historic features and construction of four extensions to help form a chapel and a cafe.

It has previously been claimed that the derelict building had become a magnet for drug addicts and vandals.

The Church of Scientology, which counts Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its followers, teaches that people are immortal beings who have forgotten their true nature and offers believers a life improvement strategy it calls dianetics.

A planning application sent to the council said: “This existing prominent building has suffered from neglect and the cost increase that a nursing home provider would incur to renovate and operate out of over those of a more modest modern purpose-built residential care home would be significant.

“Although there is perhaps a case to be answered for with the continued use class due to the growing age of the population, it is further difficult to justify this with regards to the running costs of heating such a Grade II listed building and the current modern economic climate.

“Following another previous planning approval for the building and site for dwelling houses, the appetite/ market for apartments has somewhat dwindled.

“Whilst this often preserves much of the character of the external envelope, inevitably the interiors have to be divided up, permanently concealing or losing much of their historic significance in the process.

“The proposed change of use for this building will retain the historic significance of both the external elevations and retain it in one ownership, whom is ultimately solely responsible for its future maintenance and use.”

The church says that approximately 100 volunteers will be based on the Gateshead site each day, plus an average of 20 visitors.

As well as weekly Sunday services, members of the church can visit the building during the week for spiritual exercises aimed at the “restoration of beingness and ability”.

It added: “The building will benefit greatly from its ongoing use by a single owner, with former large rooms and spaces reinstated in high-quality finishes.

“The building will also be open to view by members of the public, something likely not permitted by previous or most other possible future users.”