A bid to demolish a Gosforth synagogue and build a new apartment block in its place have been rejected by councillors.
Developers have been refused permission to tear down the United Hebrew Congregation (UHC) Synagogue in Graham Park Road. Newcastle City Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to reject the proposals last Friday, amid concerns about the “incongruous and obtrusive development”.
Waveland Ltd wanted to build 17 apartments on the site of the synagogue, with the area’s Jewish congregation due to relocate to the adjacent Lionel Jacobson House soon. Planning consultant Helen Marks, representing the applicants in front of the committee last week, warned councillors that the “under-utilised” synagogue would have “no prospect of reuse or conversion” if it is left standing empty.
