LOK Developments has secured planning approval to demolish and rebuild 150-156 New Bridge Street in Newcastle, to create a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme that ranges in height from four to six storeys. The plans were approved by a vote of seven votes to two, with one abstention.
Designed by Xsite Architecture, the scheme would deliver nine six-bed clusters, ten five-bed clusters, and six studios, amounting to 110 bedrooms in total.
Currently occupying the site on the corner of New Bridge Street and Argyle Street and opposite Northumbria University Design School are the remnants of the former terrace and abandoned development following the collapse of the previous contractor. To the south, the terrace continues with various commercial and hospitality outlets.
There are a number of listed buildings within a 350m diameter of the New Bridge Street site, but due to a tight street pattern and the topography heading south towards the River Tyne, none are visible from the site and the proposed development is not visible from them.
“It is concluded that there is no loss in replacing the existing with a well-designed building using traditional materials with contemporary styling that helps create a new order to the street building line with visible addresses along the street and with an appropriate stature in urban design towards the city.”
Design and Access Statement, Xsite architecture
LOK Developments’ wider New Bridge Street project team consists of DPP planning, structural and civic engineer JC Consulting, acoustic consultants Apex, transport consultants SAJ, and daylight consultants GIA.
