OAP village is on the cards for landmark South Shields site

An application has been submitted for the current Roundel’s site on the corner of Harton Lane in South Shields, to be turned into 49 apartments for the over-60s by McCarthy and Stone.

The land used to be the site of Harton Dye Works, which operated from 1903 to 1970 - this was an extension to Harton Moor Laundry (South Shields Laundry Co) which was established in 1899.

However, Roundel, which moved into the area in the early 1970s, has been so successfully in recent times it’s now outgrown the site and will relocate to Washington, where it already has other facilities.

Tom Brindle, the kitchen and bedroom specialist’s financial controller, said: “Following a series of unprecedented growth, we have become one of the 50 fastest growing companies in the North East.

“We will be moving over to Washington where we already have facilities.”

The application, which has been sent to South Tyneside Council, states that the current building would be demolished to make way for the new builds.

The self-contained apartments earmarked for the 0.93 acre site would be privately owned.

There would also be 33 car parking spaces, plus a communal home owner’s lounge, guest suite, internal refuse area, mobility scooter store and house manager’s office

The application states: “Maintaining independence is a great benefit with the proposed development being so close to the shops and amenities, residents are able to satisfy their everyday needs without the need for transport. With less maintenance to worry about, the upkeep of the apartment is kept to a minimum. Being able to socialise within the development itself enables residents to meet other people without leaving their property.”

Comments can be left on the plans until January 3 by searching for application number ‘ST/1198/16/FUL’ on www.southtyneside.gov.uk.

A decision will be made at a future planning meeting.