Dozens of new flats look set to be built in Ouseburn, despite warnings that they could have a devastating impact on two neighbouring pubs.
Both the Free Trade Inn and the Tyne Bar worry that plans for 50 apartments in St Lawrence Road could be deeply damaging to their businesses, with the former fearing that complaints from future residents could even force them to close down. Proposals for a six-storey housing complex earmarked for derelict land next to the Free Trade Inn are due to come before councillors this week and are recommended for approval by Newcastle City Council’s planning committee.
The riverview flats plan from developer A&A Properties, which has been redesigned since it first emerged in 2019, features a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments, plus three townhouses and undercroft parking. But, in an objection lodged with the city council ahead of this Friday’s committee hearing, the Free Trade Inn’s management said it was “extremely concerned” that noise complaints that might result from flats being built next door to the popular drinking spot “could result in significant changes that significantly harm the existing operations and could even result in closure”.
