Historic Whitley Bay police station transformed into nine homes
A former police station in Whitley Bay is being given a new lease of life as part of an ambitious residential development.
The building on Laburnum Avenue has been transformed by Bluerock Homes, with the company retaining many of the building’s original features and historic character.
Robbie Peel established Bluerock Homes more than a decade ago with his two partners.
His route into housebuilding began after studying at Northumbria University before working for a multidisciplinary practice in Hexham.
He later began undertaking property refurbishments before taking on the transformation of a former community hall in Morpeth into five homes.
Since then, he has completed a range of projects, including new-build and barn conversion properties at Boulmer, student accommodation in Newcastle and six apartments on Whitley Bay seafront.
The company’s latest project has seen the former Laburnum Avenue police station sympathetically restored and converted into nine homes.
“We wanted to retain as much of the character of the original police station as possible,” said Robbie.
“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, which had been present to the centre of the site, was removed to create a courtyard and provide the required parking for the new homes.
Other parts of the site, including an old building associated with the former Welch’s Sweet Factory, were also demolished after being found to be unsuitable for modern residential use and affected by significant structural and asbestos issues.
Among the items salvaged are an original cell gate, which has been incorporated into the pedestrian access to the rear of the development, and ornate cast-iron ceiling roses from the former courthouse.
Robbie also salvaged original Northumbria Police signage from the building, including signs from interview rooms and door signage from inspector’s offices.
Even sections of the original carpet featuring the Northumbria Police logo have been preserved and incorporated into the development as a reminder of the site’s former use.
The development, officially known as 1 – 9 The Old Police Station, comprises a mixture of three-and four-bedroom homes.