More than 50 new apartments for older people are proposed for the site of the former Newcastle Borough Council civic offices.

The Merrial Street offices were demolished in 2022 after the authority moved to its new base at Castle House.

Now retirement property developer McCarthy Stone is seeking planning permission for 53 apartments. car parking, a new vehicle access and landscaping on the site. It forms part of the Ryecroft area redevelopment, which is also set to include affordable homes and a hotel.

A mix of 16 two bedroom and 37 one-bedroom apartments is proposed in a four-storey L-shaped building. Other facilities would include a residents' lounge, mobility scooter store and communal garden.

The Merrial Street offices were demolished in 2022 after the council moved to Castle House (LDRS).

A supporting letter submitted as part of the application to Newcastle Borough Council said: "The proposed development would contribute towards meeting identified need for older persons accommodation in the local area. The site is in a highly sustainable location for residential development and will benefit from location within the town centre."

Newcastle Borough Council was awarded £11m from the government's Future High Street Fund towards regeneration of the town centre. This included £3.7m for the Ryecroft area, where a new multi-storey car park is also being built to replace the Midway facility.

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