Councillors have approved revised plans to turn former NHS offices into student flats – after a previous scheme to add three floors to the building were blocked.

Developer WUKPG will turn Morston House, in Newcastle town centre, into 126 studio flats for students, after its application was approved by planning committee members at Newcastle Borough Council.

Previous plans to create accommodation for 194 students, involving a three-storey vertical extension, were refused permission in 2022, due to the 'excessive' height of the proposed building and the impact it would have on the town centre conservation area, along with the lack of parking. Planning consultant David Tye, representing the applicant, told the committee that following this refusal, WUKPG had taken a 'fresh approach' to Morston House, which had resulted in new proposals that would not require an upward extension to the six-storey building.

The plans include a sideways extension, filling the space to the Midway car park, with the transformed building set to include communal facilities such as a gym in addition to the flats.

The six-storey building was last used as an NHS clinic and offices (Google).

Mr Tye said: "The application proposes 126 studios, which is a far less attractive proposition financially, but nonetheless can be delivered if the developer retains the completed building as a long-term investment.

"I'd like to highlight that Keele University have been really supportive of the application. Importantly, the university have confirmed that they have significant growth plans, that will see the student population increase by around 4,000 students to the 2027 academic year. That will only be possible if sufficient off-campus accommodation is available. They think the studios we're proposing will be very popular, particularly among overseas students, postgrads and medical students."

Mr Tye said the student accommodation, which is expected to be ready for the start of 2027 academic year, would bring 'new life, vitality and spending' to the town centre. Students living at Morston House would be expected to spend around £30,000 a month in the local area.

The development will still not include any parking, but planning officers do not believe this to be a reason to refuse permission, given the building's 'highly sustainable location'. Planning committee members agreed with the officers' recommendation to approve the scheme.

The new student accommodation is expected to be ready for the start of 2027 academic year (Google).

Councillor Andrew Fear said: "I think I may have been a member of the committee that refused the previous committee, so I am therefore very pleased to say I am minded to support this application. The developer has done what good developers do: listened to local opinion."

Cllr Fear also suggested that WUKPG should be urged to talk to Capital and Centric, the company that will be redeveloping the Midway car park, in order to ensure there was a 'nice facade' rather than a 'random set of developments'.

The building will have brickslip cladding, with approval of the colour requiring approval under one of the planning conditions. WUKPG will also be required to pay £13,800 towards the implementation of a loading bay on The Midway.

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