New homes planned for former South Tyneside rehab centre site

A planning application was submitted for land, which was previously used by Phoenix House, off Westoe Drive, South Shields, to be turned into ‘affordable’ flats.

Places for People – which owns and manages more than 140,882 properties across England, Scotland and Wales – submitted the plans to South Tyneside Council after the rehab centre closed it’s doors in 2012.

Now planning chiefs have gave permission for the work to go ahead subject to conditions.

One of them is: “No construction or associated works, or deliveries of materials, shall take place outside the hours of 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 1pm Saturdays and no such works or deliveries shall be carried out at any time on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

The building, which was demolished last summer, was the North East’s first long-term residential rehabilitation service when it opened in 1985.

It then helped hundreds of people from across the country beat their addictions.

The planning application stated: “The demolition provides not only an opportunity to deliver much needed affordable homes but to enhance to the local community.

“Additionally, a scheme for soft landscaping and tree replacement aims to better serve both future residents and enhance biodiversity.” The plans which have been submitted are for two-bedroomed apartments which are suitable for up to three people.

They would be arranged into 11 two-storey blocks – each with their own front door and for first-floor residents to have their own private staircase

A drop-in session took place at the nearby Jack Clarke Park Centre earlier this year for residents to find out more about the plans and to raise any concerns which they may have.

Several of the attendees voiced concern over the potential increase in traffic and parking.