Newcastle Building Society, Portland House, Newcastle City
Planning permission was secured to facilitate the change of use of part of Portland House from vacant office space to create a new building society branch and financial advice centre. The scheme included external changes to the windows and doors to improve the visual quality, responding to the location of the new branch within the setting of listed buildings, the Laing Art Gallery and ‘Blue Carpet’ urban design feature.
Karen Read of klr Planning has provided a very efficient and professional consultancy service to secure Change of Use (B1 to A2) for space within the Society’s Principle Office at Portland House in Newcastle City Centre. The part ground floor for which consent was obtained has now been developed in a £250,000 scheme to provide a new Financial Advice Centre offering full branch facilities. Karen’s advice to follow the Pre Application route was valuable as not only did this provide comfort to the Society that Newcastle City Council welcomed the scheme it also ensured that once the planning application was submitted the consent for external alterations as well as Change of Use was received at an early stage.
I would have no hesitation in using the services of KLR Planning in the future and indeed instructions have already been provided in respect of another project where planning advice is required.
Craig Garbutt - Newcastle Building Society