Art Deco Building in Jarrow Approved for Residential Conversion

A former retail establishment, an Art Deco structure from the 1920s, is slated for redevelopment following the approval of plans for residential flats and commercial units. The Burton building in Jarrow, South Tyneside, once housed one of Britain’s largest clothing store chains. However, it has remained unoccupied for several years, “becoming an eyesore on the local area,” according to the developers, Consultation First Limited. South Tyneside Council granted approval for five one-bedroom apartments, despite reservations concerning parking provisions. Separate proposals for three ground-floor shopping units had already received approval in October, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Developers noted that many historic Burton buildings in north-east England had been “crudely carved up and spoilt,” but Jarrow’s property still features its “original black marble fascia” and “original ‘Montague Burton’ entrance mosaic.” Nevertheless, the design and access statement also indicated that the building had been “vacant for several years and has badly fallen into a state of disrepair, becoming an eyesore on the local area.” The property was also “stripped out following a major roof leak,” which resulted in considerable damage. The apartment plans generated concerns due to the absence of dedicated parking for the new residences. A council decision report mentioned an objection regarding a potential overspill of vehicles into the surrounding vicinity. Planning authorities concluded that the proposed change of use to apartments was acceptable, and the transport development officer had evaluated the project, reporting no issues of concern. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.