An apartment building earmarked for a former Newcastle church site will be lower in height and have fewer parking spaces after councillors approved changes to the development.

The former Newcastle Baptist Church at London Road has already been demolished to make way for the 22 new apartments, which were approved in 2015 subject to a series of conditions.

A request to vary one of the conditions was granted by Newcastle Borough Council's planning committee on Tuesday (July 18). The previously-approved mix of 15 two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom flats is set to be changed to four two-bedroom and 18 one-bedroom units, while the number of proposed parking spaces will be reduced from 17 to 15.

A report to Tuesday's meeting said: "The principal change to the scheme would be to the height of the building which would be reduced from four to three storeys. The footprint of the building and the elevational treatment would remain very similar to the approved scheme and, subject to appropriate facing bricks and fenestration details being secured, the revised scheme would enhance the appearance of the area.

Four two-bedroom and 18 one-bedroom flats will be created along with 15 parking spaces for residents (Google).

"The parking spaces in the Local Plan recommend a maximum of two spaces per two-bed dwelling and one space per one-bed dwelling. Given that the number of two bedroom apartments would be reduced from 15 to four, the reduction of two spaces is considered acceptable."

Councillor Andrew Fear said: "I didn't much care for this site, I still don't frankly care much for the design here – I prefer proper roofs, not flat roofs. However I am aware there is a fall back position and what we're looking at here is potentially a way of getting something a little bit better than what could be built already.

"It is disappointing that two parking spaces have been lost. However my personal view is that the gain is the loss of a storey on this building; I think it would fit much better into the street scene than what we could have."

Councillor John Williams, who voted against approving the amended plans, said: "It's out of keeping with where it is. As you come south from the old Trinity Church you've got the pitched roofs, then you will see a square sticking out – it will be sticking out quite substantially."

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