Tyneside pub site regenerated by residential development

A property business behind a number of successful residential developments across the region is breathing new life into the site of a Tyneside pub with its latest project.

Woodacre Homes is regenerating the site of the Bogie Chain, in Wallsend, by building 12 family homes. The development of four-bedroom townhouses brings much-needed premium housing to the area.  

The development, called Woodacre Mews, is the latest from Woodcare Homes, which is the residential development arm of North East business Balliol Property Management and Development. It is set to be completed in September 2020.

Previously, under its Balliol brand, the business has completed a number of small bespoke developments of homes and apartments in Newcastle, Gateshead, Blyth and Stannington in Northumberland.

 Its current site had been home to a pub for over a century – during which time it was known as the Railway Inn and most recently the Bogie Chain – but in recent years the once-thriving venue had become derelict, alongside an accompanying train carriage which was also part of the site. The former British Rail carriage was donated by Woodacre Homes to the Aln Valley Railway, where it is hoped it can be renovated into a bar and dining coach on a steam railway to take tourists from Alnmouth to Alnwick.

Now, the site has been brought back into use through the creation of Woodcare Mews. The  design of its properties, which feature almost floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony, has been done by Jason Gibbon at Newcastle-based Beautiful Pigeon Architecture.

 Steve Frith, director of Woodcare Homes, said: “When the site became available I immediately saw the potential to create a modern, bespoke premium family housing development. It’s in a great area, very well connected, and the design of our homes is what really sets us apart in what is a pretty crowded new-build market. 

“All of our projects are small developments, which allows us to invest the time and resources to create the kind of quality residential scheme where people want to live. As well as the high quality build, we are also making significant investment in landscaping and planting around the site to give it green space and privacy for residents.

“The interest we have had already has been significant – I think people are rightly wanting to buy property they feel gives them great value for money, and through our investment in premium touches like underfloor heating, oak doors and acoustic windows, our quality as a developer comes to the fore.”

The specialist real estate team at Sintons has supported Woodacre Homes with its site acquisition and development, with partner Tom Wills completing the transaction.

Tom Wills said: “While this is the first development for the Woodacre Homes brand, it comes with the years of experience, skilled labour and expertise which characterised the work of Balliol. This is another very high-quality development which brings a very aesthetically pleasing new look to a site which had lain derelict for years. We wish Steve and his team every success with Woodacre Mews.”