Fears over short-stay flats plan in nightlife spot

Businesses in the Bigg Market are worried about noise complaints from people in the flats

Plans to turn an office block in a popular entertainment area into 135 short-stay apartments could be approved on Friday.

Developer Monument Real Estate is hoping to create flats in the 1970s-built Cathedral Square building at the centre of the Bigg Market in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

However, the prospect of new housing being brought into the heart of one of the city centre's busiest and rowdiest areas has sparked concern from surrounding bars that open into the early hours.

The Revolution Bars Group said the development "poses a significant risk of generating complaints" about disturbance caused by the Bigg Market's famous nightlife.

Meanwhile, Cosy Joes feared potential complaints from occupants of Cathedral Square could lead to its business being "curtailed".

An objection lodged with Newcastle City Council by the Market Shaker bar said it had " significant concern that the proposed development could detrimentally impact upon the reputation of Market Shaker, which is a lawful and established use, through the lodging of guest complaints".

Building 'rejuvenated'

The scheme involves building a three-storey extension on top of the building and demolishing another section of the existing property.

The largely-vacant site, which houses businesses including Simply Greek and Revolucion de Cuba on its ground floor, would see the section which protrudes on to Cloth Market demolished, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

In their report to councillors, city planners said the building would clearly be unsuitable for long-term accommodation because of the throngs of late night revellers.

However, they said short-stay lets were more acceptable and would "allow for a significant building within Newcastle's historic Bigg Market to be rejuvenated".

Newcastle City Council's planning committee will consider the redevelopment at a meeting at the end of the week, where the designs are being recommended for approval.