Ex-police station could be turned into an aparthotel
COUNCILLORS SET TO APPROVE PROPOSAL
VISITORS to the North East could soon be paying for the privilege of staying the night at a Gateshead police station.
Councillors are expected to give the green light to plans to convert the former Felling Police Station into an aparthotel next week.
The proposals would see the vacant Victorian building in Sunderland Road, which was most recently occupied by the Gateshead Cheder Orthodox Jewish School, turned into a 18-room hotel.
Each accommodation unit would have its own kitchen and lounge, with 13 having two beds and five units having one bed.
Just one neighbour has objected to the plans, citing concerns over parking, noise, and burglaries associated with an existing aparthotel opposite the police station site.
However, civic centre planning officials
have deemed the designs acceptable and advised members of Gateshead Council’s planning committee to give them the go-ahead.
A report to councillors said: “The objection states that certain residents do not have double glazing so will hear more noise from the street than the average resident.
“It is the view of officers that the comings and goings of staff and guests, either by car or on foot, would not have an adverse impact on the residents of York Terrace.”
It adds: “The objection states that there have been burglaries at the aparthotel on the opposite side of Sunderland Road and that this application could escalate this. No evidence has been presented to substantiate this.
“Police data shows there are approximately 10 burglaries in the area per year, however the data does not specifically relate to the existing aparthotel.”
Land Registry records show the Edwardian-era building was sold for £240,000 in 2016.