Historic building is set for its 'next chapter'

APPROVAL FOR PLANS TO CONVERT FORMER HOSPITAL SITE INTO FLATS

- By DANIEL HOLLAND

PLANS to breathe new life into a historic Newcastle building have taken a major step forward.

The Keelmen's Hospital is among the city's most prized heritage assets, having stood in a prominent spot overlooking the River Tyne for more than 300 years, but has been left derelict since 2009.

After numerous attempts to save the building, a regeneration vision that would see it transformed into affordable housing is now making significant progress.

Newcastle City Council, the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBPT) and Historic England joined forces last year to try to finally secure a viable future for the at-risk site on City Road. And the TWBPT has now won planning consent for its proposals to convert the listed building into 20 apartments.

The latest boost comes after confirmation last year of a £437,732 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to pay for surveys and design work, with the trust hoping to be awarded a further £4.5 million to support the full restoration.