Jarrow's iconic former Burton store set for transformation into residential apartments

Council development chiefs have given the go-ahead for apartment plans at an iconic former retail building in Jarrow. The planning department of South Tyneside Council has approved an application for the former Burton building at 47-55 Ormonde Street.

This building, dating back to the 1920s, was once associated with Burton Menswear, one of Britain's largest chains of clothes shops, and is locally listed by the borough council. Earlier this year, property developers Consultation First Limited submitted plans seeking permission to convert the first floor from former retail/office space into five residential apartments.

A design and access statement submitted to council officials stated that the building had been "vacant for several years and has badly fallen into a state of disrepair, becoming an eyesore on the local area". Developers noted that many old Burton buildings in the North East had been "crudely carved up and spoilt", but Jarrow’s Burton building still retains its "original black marble fascia" and "original ‘Montague Burton’ entrance mosaic".

The new plans aim to "retain the retail element on the ground floor of the property" and convert the first floor into "high-quality apartments for the private rental market". It was also mentioned that the property had been "stripped out following a major roof leak which caused considerable damage [which] required the roof to be replaced".

The proposed first-floor plans showed a mix of self-contained one-bedroom flats.

The development will include single-person apartments and one-bedroom flats for two people, each equipped with bathroom facilities and a combined kitchen/living area. A communal cycle/bin store is also planned, providing 12 cycle spaces and room for eight communal bins.

South Tyneside Council's planning department gave the green light to the apartment planning application on November 28, 2024, after assessing it against planning policies. In their decision report, council planners stated that the proposed change of use to apartments was acceptable and would "introduce a residential use to a building that is appropriately located within a primarily residential area, without adversely impacting upon the character of the area".

They also noted that the proposed layout would "provide natural daylight to the habitable room windows for the flats to the benefit of any future occupants". The council decision report further added: "No in-curtilage car parking spaces are being proposed as part of the development proposals."

Occupiers of neighbouring properties through a representation received [...] have raised concerns about the current car parking demand in the area and the impact of the proposed flats on the highway capacity of the surrounding area.

“Objection to this development has been raised due to there being no allocated parking for the proposed flats and concern that this will impact on the availability of on-street parking already used by others which will mean overspill onto the surrounding residential area that is already oversubscribed.

“The transport development officer (as local highway authority) has assessed the proposed development with regards to highway safety and parking and advised that no issues arise from the scheme.

“The application site is considered to be within a highly sustainable location, where there would be less reliance upon private cars. The premises are located in the Jarrow town centre which is well served by public transport, including many bus routes/stops and the Nexus Metro services.”

Plans to convert the ground floor of the former Burton building by dividing it to create three retail units were approved by South Tyneside Council’s planning department back in October, 2024 (Ref: ST/0374/24/FUL).

The approval of the separate apartment application for the first floor means permissions are now in place for the whole building to be given a new lease of life. Under planning conditions, the development must be brought forward within three years.

For more information on the apartments plan and council decision, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0571/24/FUL

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