Verity Ward wrote:
One of South Tyneside’s oldest pubs is facing demolition to make way for a new apartments block.
The Beacon in Greens Place, Lawe Top, South Shields, has been serving drinks since the late 1800s but an application has been made to South Tyneside Council’s planning committee for it to be transformed into seven apartments – with space for three parking bays.
The Beacon’s popularity has trailed off in recent times and it’s now vacant.
Gary Craig, of Gary Craig Building services in Whitburn, is the architect behind the transformation which, if given the go-ahead, will see the apartments being spread between four and five floors as the building is on a slope.
Mr Craig said: “The Beacon hasn’t had the best of times of late. As with many pubs, trade hadn’t been that good.
“By transforming it into apartment blocks, it will be giving the site a new lease of life. “Residents won’t have to worry about a building falling into disarray and nor will there be any issues with noise or music.”
Coun John Anglin, a Labour representative for the Beacon and Bents Ward, says he has few issues with the transformation.
He said: “In principle I have no problems with the plans. However, I do expect them to be of the highest quality. They need to be inkeeping with the rest of the area. “On the Lawe Top, there’s a lot of distinguished buildings and it will need to blend in. “My only concern is that I’d like assurance there will be proper car parking facilities, to cater for all the potential new residents.”
The new building which will have white walls with dark grey frames and balconies and will look different to the other buildings on the street.
This is due to building regulations requiring level access, where it can be achieved, which, together with the sloping site, has made it impossible to maintain original floor levels or to match to the floor heights of adjoining dwellings.
The application stated: “As a consequence, a deliberate decision was taken to provide modern storey heights and create a building which would totally different from, and stand out from, the older properties in Greens Place, creating a visually prominent end to the terrace.”
Comments can be made on the plans until December 14 by visiting the planning section of www.southtyneside.gov.uk and searching for application ‘ ST/0746/15/FUL’.
Read more: http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/local-news/once-popular-lawe-top-pub-faces-demolition-to-make-way-for-apartments-1-7599918