Plans to renovate and build two homes underneath a pair of Dutch barns within the Ravensworth Estate in Whickham South and Sunniside have been rejected by councillors.
Gateshead Council’s planning and development committee sided with council officers last week and rejected an application to restore two barns, formally used to house hay, and the construction of two two-bedroom houses underneath as a way to save them.
A report compiled by council officers recommended the plans be rejected on the basis the development would harm the Conservation Area the estate sits within. The homes, according to the report, would be “alien and harmful to the character and appearance of the area”.
In addition, officers believed that there were insufficient noise and odour assessments which could show the impacts on potential occupants living on the site of a working farm. Officers also stated the proposals were unsafe from a traffic and highways perspective.
William Hodgeson, who helps to manage the estate, also believes the barns date back to the Victorian era, however, council documents say they only go back as far as the 1950’s. It was also hoped that income generated from the homes could go towards work on Ravensworth Castle, a historic site going back in some parts as far as 1223.
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Speaking in favour of the project, councillor Jonathan Wallace said: “There are significant public gains for Gateshead in this application. Firstly, two new homes of good quality added to Gayteshead’s housing stock, and secondly ‘at-risk heritage’ would be restored and repurposed, saved from further dereliction and demolition.
“Thirdly, the income stream coming into the estate will enable work to be carried out on Ravensworth Castle, making it safer for increased managed public access.”
The plans were ultimately rejected by a majority decision on Wednesday, October 2, at Gateshead Civic Centre.
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