Student bedsits plan for former social club

Daniel HodgsonLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageBBC A rundown-looking two-strorey red-brick building.BBC
Westgarth Social Club closed its doors for the final time in 2023 and has been unused since then

A former music venue could see a new lease of life as student accommodation.

Middlesbrough's Westgarth Social Club closed down in 2023 and had looked set to be demolished before council planning officers rejected that proposal last May.

The club, which was founded in 1911, played host to acts including The Vaccines and James Bay but closed amid rising costs following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now plans have been submitted which would see the Southfield Road building, which is next to next to the Teesside University campus, transformed into 28 "bedsit studios".

Work would include roof alterations, new doors and a staircase, according to the application.

The company 248 Halls, which manages student accommodation on nearby Linthorpe Road, would name the site Westgarth House, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Papers submitted as part of the application said there would be no need for demolition.

There would be eight car parking spaces, primarily intended for short stay drop-off and pick-up rather than long-term parking by residents.

The plans are under consideration by council planning officers.

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