A 3D render of the proposed plans

Plans by local company Prizepay to convert the former Cradlewell Pub on Jesmond Road into an 18-bed hotel, including 120-seat lounge and bar, have been met with concern from local residents.

According to a planning application submitted in December 2011, the new development would involve the building of an extension to the rear of the building along Deuchar Street to accommodate the hotel reception and bedrooms. Local residents responding to the application have raised concern regarding possible traffic congestion on Deuchar Street. The plans outline that there would be eight car parking spaces for guests and two for staff. One local resident has written on Newcastle City Council’s planning website: “Deuchar Street is already overcrowded with parked cars. Increased traffic is also a serious concern, as is the speed at which some vehicles traverse Deuchar Street; increased traffic will surely exacerbate these problems. Areas that are non-permit are already overcrowded, with vehicles being parked on corners and areas adjacent to them, obscuring visibility and creating hazardous conditions.”

In documents published on 10^th February, the council’s transportation development officer, Phil Harrison, responded to the claims stating: “The guideline figure of parking provision for a hotel with 18 bedrooms is 75% which equates to 13 spaces. However, this number cannot be provided on site. There is a public car park situated very close to the site on Jesmond Road opposite the gym which could be used by patrons of the hotel.

“It is also felt that the site sits in a sustainable location, with good links to public transport.  There are high frequency bus services on Jesmond Road and Jesmond Metro station is situated within a reasonable walking distance. Cycle parking would also be provided to encourage travel by bike. These elements mean that the application is in accordance with PPG13 which seeks to reduce reliance on travel by car and looks for applicants not to provide any more parking than they so wish.”

Other concerns include the increased noise levels the new development could cause at night time, as well as during the construction period. The same resident wrote: “It is worth noting that in the final months of the last opening of the Cradlewell public house there were a number of serious issues with noise disturbances and that on New Year’s Day just a few months before the Cradlewell closed there was a major, very early morning, police action at and outside of the establishment, thus, the concerns with noise voiced here are informed by prior experience with the establishment in its last incarnation.”

A 3D render of the proposed plans

In a letter to planning officer Maurice Seary, Labour councillor for South Jesmond David Harman has expressed concern that the exterior of the hotel should be in keeping with surrounding buildings. He wrote: “While I recognise that a hotel/restaurant is probably good use for this location, the proposed extension to the back of the pub is neither an outstanding modern addition nor a sympathetic “in character” addition to the building… The number, scale, proportion and materials of windows are dramatically out of character with existing structure and surrounding buildings. The blank wall beside the proposed parking lot has nothing to break it up, making it an imposing, large two-storey wall of grey and it is significantly out of character with existing structure and surrounding buildings.”

The Cradlewell pub opened its doors for the first time in 1904 by Robert Deuchar and was built on site of the original Cradlewell Public House which dated from 1833, and took its name from a nearby water trough.

The activities of Prizepay Ltd, which is based in Fenham, are listed at Companies House as including property letting, property development and the manufacture of knitted and crocheted hosiery.