Plot 12: Newcastle Quayside plan faces second inquiry

Plot 12 seen from inside the neighbouring St Ann's Quay

A second inquiry into plans to build hundreds of flats on Newcastle's Quayside has begun.

The fresh inquiry is the latest step in a lengthy legal battle over proposals to build an apartment block on a plot that has been vacant for decades.

The plans are opposed by residents and the city council, which says the 14-storey design is unacceptable.

But developers say the proposal is the only viable prospect of bringing the plot back into use.

The plans to build a 289-apartment block on a prominent stretch of land on the Quayside were initially blocked by Newcastle City Council in 2021 but granted permission by the planning inspectorate a year later, after an appeal.

That decision was in turn quashed in the High Court, with its judgement later held up in the Court of Appeal, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Now the public inquiry into the plans for the vacant Plot 12 site is being re-run in front of a different inspector.

On Tuesday opening statements were given by lawyers representing developers Packaged Living and Robertson Property, the city council and residents of nearby St Ann's Quay.

The developers are arguing that the apartment block is the only viable way of regenerating the long-vacant plot of land, which has stood empty as the rest of the Quayside has been developed.

Those in opposition say the building design is unacceptable, while there is also concern that the development will block views to and from the historic St Ann's Church, a Grade I listed building.

Speaking on behalf of the appellant, solicitor Paul Tucker QC claimed the development represented "much needed, high-quality homes for rent, which will stand the test of time".

He claimed that unless the plans were approved, the site would remain empty "until a scheme comes forward that is acceptable to members", adding that "less than substantial harm" to the church would be outweighed by public benefit.

'Significant harm'

The city council's lawyer, Anjoli Foster, told the inquiry the proposals are "so inappropriate that the council cannot condone it" and would cause "significant harm to heritage assets and living conditions".

Miss Foster said more than half of the proposed flats would be undersized under housing guidelines.

On behalf of residents at the neighbouring St Ann's Quay apartments, David Hardy said: "What is being proposed is totally at odds with the identity of the Quayside, without being ambitious or good enough to justify that. It would have a devastating impact on residents."

He said it was unacceptable to build "substandard accommodation", describing the plans as "scraping the bottom of the barrel".

Following these submissions, the inquiry was halted in order for a site visit to be carried out. The inquiry continues and is expected to last well into next week.