Ex-care home conversion into 9-bedroom dwelling in Swalwell approved

Austen Shakespeare
·2-min read
The former care home Leven House on Market Lane Gateshead
-Credit: (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)


Plans to convert a former care home into a 9-bedroom home were approved by a split decision this morning at Gateshead Council’s civic centre.

Proposals to repurpose the former Leven Rest Home, 323 Market Lane, were green-lit by councillors this morning with a divided vote of 11 for and 5 against. The plans, submitted by Fenham Properties Ltd, proved controversial amassing 18 objections logged by the local authority.

Several locals registered concerns that the ex-care home, which has stood vacant since 2021, could be changed into a ‘home of multiple occupancy’ (HMO) later down the line. Northumbria Police also wrote to the council, requesting conditions be imposed to, if permission was granted, prevent this from occurring.

Fenham Properties Ltd had applied to change the property into an HMO, consisting of 16 separate bedrooms, in 2022 but this was later withdrawn. Council officers present at the committee stressed that additional planning permission would be required for any such change and conditions would be in place to restrict this.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Mr Sunny Howd of Hedley Planning Services, told the committee it was time for the property to be "brought back into use" after three years of vacancy. Mr Howd also referenced a report from the council, recommending the conversion be granted and found no concern for the creation of the home.

Local, James Wright, spoke to the committee and raised his traffic concerns, particularly the “gridlock” experienced on nearby streets. Mr Wright also expressed traffic safety concerns with regards to a nursery opposite the property.

The council’s report on the application stated: “It is considered that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on highway capacity or highway safety, and would deliver an acceptable level of parking provision for the residential use sought.”

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