Plans for historic former Burton building in Jarrow submitted to council

Developers want to convert the first floor of the former Burton building in Jarrow into five residential apartments

Plans have been submitted to South Tyneside Council for the development of apartments in a historic former retail building in Jarrow. The council's planning department has received an application for the former Burton building at 47-55 Ormonde Street.

According to the submitted planning documents, the building is a non-designated heritage asset and is included on the council’s local list and Tyne and Wear Historic Environment Record. The decorative building, dating from around 1925, was once linked to Burton Menswear, one of the largest clothing chains in Britain.

Developers Consultation First Limited are hoping to revive the building, which they say retains its original black marble fascia and Montague Burton entrance mosaic, unlike many old Burton buildings in the North East that have been crudely carved up and spoilt. The developers plan to convert the first floor from former retail/office space into five residential apartments, while retaining the retail element on the ground floor.

The building, which has been vacant for several years and has fallen into disrepair, becoming an eyesore in the predominantly residential area, will be transformed into high-quality apartments for the private rental market, according to the design and access statement submitted to council officials. The submitted floor plans show a mix of one-bedroom, one-person apartments and one bedroom, two-person apartments.

The apartments, alongside toilet facilities and a kitchen/living space, were found to have been "stripped out following a major roof leak which caused considerable damage [and] required the roof to be replaced which is now complete".

The design and access statement further states: "We would kindly request you approve this planning application, so our client can prevent it becoming another empty property statistic for the area. We feel that it is this outstanding property’s best chance to be brought back to life by a local developer who cares. Throughout the process we have worked alongside the local authority’s planning department to produce a scheme that benefits the local area, whilst keeping as much of the property’s unique qualities and restoring them."

With the site's prime "sustainable location" and its connectivity to public transport and local amenities, developers have decided against providing dedicated car parking spaces.

It's worth noting as well that the "ground floor is currently a vacant retail unit requiring full refurbishment to bring back into use". With a separate planning submission lodged for the ground floor of the structure, South Tyneside Council has yet to determine whether to permit the "divide the ground floor retail unit to create three units".

A verdict on the apartment plan for the former Burton building awaits after council consultation. Observations on the proposed plans can be made through South Tyneside Council’s planning platform.

For more details on the plan or to follow its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0571/24/FUL. The portal will be open until October 31, 2024.

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