By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated at 16:09, Friday, 30 March 2012

A Cumbrian construction firm has unveiled plans for a £25 million redevelopment of one of the north east’s most iconic buildings.

Martyn Boak

Northern Developments, of Carlisle, wants to transform the former Tyne Tees TV studios, on City Road, Newcastle, into a hotel and housing complex.

The site was used as the headquarters of Tyne Tees from its launch in the 1950s until 2005 when the broadcaster moved to Gateshead.

The converted furniture warehouse was home to a string of hit TV series including cult 1980s Channel 4 music show The Tube.

Northern, run by Carlisle businessman Martyn Boak, has submitted a joint planning application with Buccleuch Property, the commercial property arm of the Buccleuch Group, for accommodation for students, a hotel and an affordable housing development on the site.

Eddie Ward, of Northern Developments, said: “This is the culmination of well over 12 months work liaising closely with Buccleuch Property and Newcastle City Council and represents a major investment in the city at a time when construction and property are depressed nationally.

“Our scheme comprises a student accommodation development of 386 en-suite study bedrooms with a hotel of up to 130 bedrooms and a residential development that will incorporate affordable housing.

“Discussions are ongoing with suitable hotel operators and we hope to be able to provide further news in relation to this and the residential element of the scheme in due course.

“Our overall investment in the scheme will be in excess of £25m and will help to boost the local economy significantly during both the construction phase and the long-term operations of the scheme.”

Sandy Smith, development director of Buccleuch Property said: “Our combined investment in the wider scheme will provide significant economic regeneration, not just on the site, but for the wider city.

“We have worked very closely with Newcastle City Council and their planning department to ensure that we deliver a scheme that the city can be proud of on a strategic site that otherwise would be likely to stand empty for some considerable time.”

Northern Developments, based on the Burgh Road industrial estate, has built a nationwide reputation for student accommodation under its U-Student.com brand.

The firm built a £12 million, 552-room scheme for the University of Sunderland, which opened last year.

U-Student.com also owns and operates a halls of residence for the University of Cumbria at Caldewgate, Carlisle.

The company, formed by Mr Boak in the 1980s, designed and built the headquarters of world rally team M-Sport at Dovenby Hall, near Cockermouth, and Jaguar’s UK HQ in Milton Keynes.

First published at 14:09, Friday, 30 March 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk