Locomotiion No 1. Image: Science Museum Group. Gateshead & Darlington Collection. 1997-7408 Science Museum Group Collection Online. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co423015/gateshead-darlington-collection.
Following recent dialogue with the developers, two of the national amenity societies are raising continued serious concerns over proposals to demolish part of the workshops of the pioneers of railways and locomotives, George and Robert Stephenson. The amenity societies are the Victorian Society and Historic Buildings & Places who are statutory commentators as part of the planning process. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Locomotion No.1, the first modern steam locomotive and commercial railways in Britain. As recently as 2023 Newcastle celebrated the 200th anniversary of the opening of these very buildings which made up the world’s first locomotive works. The project is a joint venture between Newcastle City Council and igloo Regeneration.
Recent negotiations involving The Georgian Group regarding the site took place from the 20th February. As a result of these recent negotiations, historic fabric in the Machine Shop fabric of an ‘uncertain date’ will temporarily remain in place while further investigations are undertaken, subject to a currently unwritten ‘Subject to Review Condition’. This review will be done following the removal of dangerous materials such as asbestos.
Notwithstanding these amendments, concerns over the fate of the unlisted Victorian Smith’s Shop remain. There has been no amendment of plans for this building, despite it being curtilage listed and the only remaining Smith’s Shop (out of an original three). Its neighbour, the Coppersmiths’ Shop, which is Grade II-Listed, fulfilled a separate role.
The objections from the Victorian Society have not been addressed – there are currently no submitted plans regarding the replacement of these listed buildings. The amenity societies cannot effectively evaluate potential damage to the significance of the site without a full picture. Equally, national planning policy has not been fulfilled (NPPF 2024, para. 217):
217 | Local planning authorities should not permit the loss of the whole or part of a heritage asset without taking all reasonable steps to ensure the new development will proceed after the loss has occurred.
The proposed scheme still has the potential to cause irreversible harm to the valuable planform, fixtures and fittings of the building, its significance as a survival of an early locomotive works. The societies welcome the spirit of amendments made to the scheme but call for a more concrete and comprehensive scheme to safeguard this internationally important site for future generations. We encourage the applicants to bring forward the redevelopment scheme as soon as possible.
