'Boring, bland and beige' office plan is approved

NEW designs for a “transformational” office development on a key city centre regeneration site have been backed by councillors.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Newcastle City Council's planning committee approved a revised vision for the landmark Pilgrim's Place development in East Pilgrim Street on Friday.

The £110 million complex, from the billionaire Reuben brothers, was originally given the green light in summer 2021.

But the proposals came back before the local authority, with one of the proposed office blocks having to be redesigned to comply with post-Grenfell fire safety regulations.

Councillors were told at Friday morning’s committee hearing that the 2 Pilgrim Place site required a second “escape core” which also meant that a seven-storey section of the previously-approved plans needed to be increased to match the building's full nine-storey height.

While the updated project was unanimously approved, the development was accused of being “boring, bland, and beige”.