North Tyneside Council is expected to approve compulsory purchase orders for three derelict sites, including a burnt-out nursing home, as a last resort to address the ruined buildings. The sites are the fire-damaged Stanton Lodge care home in Shiremoor, the New Store building in North Shields, and a row of dilapidated houses on Whitley Bay’s South Parade.
Council’s preferred approach is negotiation
According to a council report, the “preferred approach” is to secure ownership through negotiation and “voluntary acquisition,” but this may not be possible within a “reasonable timescale.” The report states: “The Authority has undertaken extensive engagement with landowners and other interested parties with a view to securing the voluntary acquisition of these sites. Whilst discussions remain ongoing, progress has been limited due to complex ownership arrangements and legal constraints.”
The council has received interest from a property firm in redeveloping the Stanton Lodge site for affordable housing, and it believes the other sites also have housing potential.
History of fires and complaints
Stanton Lodge was levelled by a blaze in June 2024, prompting nearby residents to be evacuated temporarily. Neighbours have repeatedly called on the council to resolve the issue, with locals voicing frustration as recently as April this year. The New Store on Nile Street in North Shields also sustained major fire damage in November 2024, along with an adjoining building, and locals have asked for the burnt-out shells to be demolished and replaced.
The houses on South Parade, formerly a care home known as Seaton Court, have been left empty for years. Council documents say the property has been tied up in probate due to “unresolved ownership issues.” The council has received complaints about vermin and, more recently, reports of squatting in the properties.
Funding and next steps
North Tyneside Council has received £150,000 of grant funding from Homes England and the Mayoral Strategic Authority to support the potential compulsory purchase orders. The outcome of negotiations with landowners, along with site investigations and development appraisals, will determine the amount of additional funding required.
The council’s cabinet is expected to agree to the proposal when it meets on Monday, October 19.
