Newcastle: Plans to transform historic Durant Hall approved

Durant Hall, part of Newcastle’s only Art-Deco church, the Unitarian Church of the Divine Unity, will be revamped by Northumbria University.

The Grade II listed property on Ellison Place will be brought back to life after years of decline and neglect.

The redevelopment work is set to be completed in late 2025.

The new-look hall will host guest lectures and provide space for educational staff.

Planning work by Hedley Planning has secured listed building consent for the removal of the existing dumbwaiter, the former kitchen areas, WCs, and pews.

The windows, roofing, guttering, and brickwork will be either repaired or replaced.

Externally, a new front entrance will be added along with alternative exits from each lecture hall for easier departure from the building.

A platform lift to improve accessibility will be installed, as well as a curved canopy to protect people from inclement weather, and 10 new bicycle parking stands for student and staff use.

The Church of the Divine Unity and Durant Hall was originally designed by the architectural practice of Cackett, Burns Dick, and Mackellar.

It was the third church for the Unitarian Congregation in Newcastle and incorporates a late Art-Deco style rather than a more traditional 19th-century church appearance.

Alex Franklin, director of Hedley Planning, who gained planning approval from Newcastle City Council’s planning committee, said: “This is another successful regeneration story that injects a new lease of life into an important city centre location and heralds the opening of a new chapter in this building’s use.

“As planners, we are able to make a valuable contribution to our clients’ plans and design ambitions, reducing the likelihood of objections on heritage grounds and in doing so, helping to transform historic properties such as Durant Hall and others across the city for future generations to enjoy.”