Former police station gets new beat

A former North Tyneside police station has been given a new lease of life as a nine-home residential development.

Gosforth-based housebuilder Bluerock Homes has spent the past 18 months restoring and redeveloping the former police station on Laburnum Avenue, Whitley Bay.

The scheme, officially named The Old Police Station, includes a mix of three and four-bedroom properties created through the conversion of the original building alongside four new three-storey townhouses.

Bluerock, led by co-founder and chartered building surveyor Robbie Peel, has retained the building’s distinctive Dutch gables and salvaged a number of features from its former life.

An original cell gate has been incorporated into pedestrian access at the rear of the development, while cast-iron ceiling roses from the former Magistrates’ Court have been restored and installed on the new vehicle entrance gates.

Original Northumbria Police signs from interview rooms and inspectors’ offices have also been preserved, alongside sections of carpet bearing the force’s logo, which have been framed and incorporated into the scheme.

Robbie said: “We wanted to retain as much of the character of the original police station as possible.

“It isn’t a listed building, but it is certainly a building of heritage interest, and the planning authority were keen to see the original features retained and restored where possible.

“I think we’ve achieved that.”

The former Magistrates’ Court at the centre of the site was demolished to create a courtyard and parking, while buildings associated with the former Welch’s Sweet Factory were removed after being found unsuitable for residential conversion due to structural and asbestos issues.

Four highly insulated townhouses have been built using structural insulated panels, while the converted properties are predominantly two-storey homes.

One property combines part of the original building with a new extension and features a large studio on its upper floor.

Robbie added: “The history of the building was something we were very conscious of.

“We wanted to keep elements of it because I think people will appreciate those little reminders of what the building used to be.”

And for Robbie, the project has also brought an amusing coincidence given his surname and the building’s former use.

He added: “The fact that my name is the same as the person who basically invented the police force hasn’t escaped me and that makes it all the more important that I get this development banged to rights.”

Founded more than a decade ago, Bluerock specialises in small and medium-sized residential developments across the North East.

Its previous schemes include executive homes in Yarm, new-build and converted properties at Boulmer, student accommodation in Newcastle and six apartments on Whitley Bay seafront.

The nine properties at The Old Police Station are being brought to market through Whitley Bay estate agent Cooke & Co.

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