Plans approved to demolish offices to make way for new homes approved despite objections

Plans to demolish offices to make way for new homes in East Boldon have been given the green light.
Kymel House, near East Boldon Picture: GoogleKymel House, near East Boldon Picture: Google
Kymel House, near East Boldon Picture: Google

Last year, plans were lodged with South Tyneside Council for Kymel House, off Boker Lane, in the East Boldon area.

This included bulldozing the single-storey office space and building six terraced homes.

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The site is positioned between the rear of Western Terrace and Coniston Grange, near Boldon and Cleadon Community Library.

Each dwelling was proposed to have four bedrooms, including one in the roof space, with vehicular access taken via a lane to the rear of Western Terrace.

This required the construction of a retaining wall to allow for a level car parking area with steps down into the garden areas of each dwelling.

In addition, the development included the construction of a new footpath in front of the dwellings.

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During consultation, the plans sparked around 20 objections from neighbours, with the majority of comments from properties on Western Terrace.

Concerns ranged from the design and density of the development and the impact on the East Boldon Conservation Area, to residential amenity, loss of privacy and highway safety/parking.

Other issues included the impact on local services, loss of trees, impacts on property values and waste collection.

Concerns were also raised on behalf of the nearby library about possible disruption to the library’s business during the demolition and construction stages.

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A further suggestion included signs being put up, when the works are completed, to distinguish between visitor bays for the new dwellings and the library car park.

The East Boldon Neighbourhood Forum also raised concerns about “over development of the site”, building design and other issues.

After considering all comments, South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved the housing plan on March 12, 2021.

According to planning documents, two off-road parking bays would be provided for each home, with public car parking bays also available for visitors.

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A council decision report added the new homes would not appear “overlydominant within the Coniston Grange street scene” and would have an “acceptable visual impact.”

Although planners admitted the development would be “relatively high density” they said it was not considered as an “overdevelopment of the site.”

No objections were raised from council departments on issues such as heritage, impact on residential amenity and impact on traffic and road safety.

On the library parking request, the council report states: “The parking bays to the front of the application site and within the car parks are within the adopted highway and so publicly available.

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“Whether or not signs could be put up to distinguish visitor bays for the dwellings / library parking is also not of relevance to the determination of this planning application.”

However, a condition was attached to the planning approval to control the demolition and construction working hours to “safeguard the amenity of nearby residents.”

A design and access statement, submitted on behalf of applicant Kymel Trading Ltd, added scheme would benefit the area.

It reads: “In summary, the site is situated within a long established residential neighbourhood that is within easy reach of a broad range of community facilities, and which is also well served by public transport modes.

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“Accordingly, in designing the layout at the centre of this application, inspiration has been taken from these positive characteristics.

“In addition these attributes also serve to highlight the site’s suitability and sustainability as a location for a new build housing scheme.”

For more information on the plans and designs, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal and search reference: ST/0956/20/FUL

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