st nicholas hospital consevation area character statement. nichola… · 2 st nicholas hospital...

ST. NICHOLAS HOSPITALCONSERVATION AREA

CHARACTER STATEMENT

St Nicholas Hospital Consevation Area Character Statement

1St Nicholas Hospital Consevation Area Character Statement

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 2

1.1 Terms of reference: conservation areas evaluation. 2

1.2 St. Nicholas Hospital - purpose of designation, principles of character andboundaries. 3

2. CONTEXT OF ST. NICHOLAS HOSPITAL CONSERVATION AREA 6

2.1 Historical Development . 6

2.2 Recent Changes 8

2.3 Landscape Context 10

3. SETTLEMENT ASSESSMENT - landscape and built character assessment 13

3.1 Sub-area 1: Hospital Buildings 13

3.2 Sub-area 2: Wildlife Area 18

3.3 Sub-area 3: Princes Meadow Housing Estate 19

Acknowledgements 20

2 St Nicholas Hospital Consevation Area Character Statement

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Terms of ReferenceThis character statement has beenprepared for the St. Nicholas HospitalConservation Area and is in accordancewith Government guidance.

Conservation AreasConservation areas were first introducedby the Civic Amenities Act 1967, anddefined as being “areas of specialarchitectural or historic interest thecharacter or appearance of which it isdesirable to preserve or enhance”. Theydepend on much more that the quality ofindividual buildings, and take into accountfeatures such as building layout, openspaces, boundaries, thoroughfares, themix of uses, use of materials, and streetfurniture. It is common for a conservationarea to include a number of buildings,which are designated as “ListedBuildings” because of their individualarchitectural or historic value.

Conservation Area AppraisalsThe approach to conservation areadesignation has altered dramatically inrecent years. It is now recognised thatdevelopment plan policy, developmentcontrol decisions, proposals forpreservation or enhancement and the“management” of conservation areas canbe best achieved when there is a clearand sound understanding of the specialinterest of the conservation area. PPG15– “Planning and the Historic Environment”urges Local Authorities to preparedetailed assessments of theirconservation areas and states “the moreclearly the special architectural or historicinterest that justifies designation isdefined and recorded, the sounder thebasis for local plan policies anddevelopment control decisions, as well asfor the preservation and enhancement ofthe character and appearance of an area”.

Value of the AppraisalThe value of the appraisal is two-fold.First, its publication will improve theunderstanding of the value of the builtheritage. It will provide property ownerswithin the conservation area, and potentialdevelopers with clearer guidance onplanning matters and the types ofdevelopment, which are likely to beencouraged. Secondly, it will enableNewcastle City Council to improve itsstrategies, policies and attitude towardsthe conservation and developmentopportunities and priorities within theconservation area. The appraisal will forma sound basis for establishing effectiveconservation area policies; support theeffective determination of planning andlisted building applications; and formrelevant evidence in planning appeals withspecific emphasis on those relating to thedemolition of unlisted buildings.

Evaluation criteriaBuildings and Development sites:• Existence/proximity to listed

buildings, schedule monuments,protected trees, features of interest

• Grouping cohesiveness, linkage/relationships to other buildings

• Period, style, materials, colour,detail, proportions, status

• Uniqueness, distinctiveness,consistency, inventiveness

• Local, regional or nationalimportance

• Completeness. Condition,construction

• Cultural, historical or “folk/popular”associations

• Archaeological and industrialarchaeological value

• Orientation, access, form, height,plot shape

• Relationship to topography andurban grain


• Density/proximity to other buildings

• Historical or planning precedents

• Opportunity for creativecontemporary solutions

• Threat from unsympatheticdevelopment

Streetscape:• Historical pattern

• Effect of proportion, alignment andtopography on enclosure

• Street furniture, signs and features

• Landscaping and surfacing

• Shopfronts and commercialtreatment

• Period, style, materials, colour,detail, proportion, status

• Relationship to urban grain

• Relationship and hierarchy withconnecting spaces

• Cohesiveness and relationship withadjacent buildings

• Local, regional or nationalimportance

• Completeness, condition,construction

• Cultural, historical or “folk/popular”associations

• Archaeological or industrialarchaeological value

• Uniqueness, distinctiveness,consistency, inventiveness

• Visual and physical activity

• Traffic and access

• Effects of differing lighting conditions

1.2 Purpose of DesignationIntroductionSt Nicholas Hospital conservation area,designated in 1991, lies to the north eastof the City Centre in the ward of Grange. Itis bounded by Salters Road to the south,

Kenton Road to the west and JubileeRoad to the east of the conservation area.The principal developments in thisconservation area are the nineteenthcentury hospital buildings. Open spacesare still a significant feature of the areaand create a Pastoral parkland setting.Within this conservation area there are 2Grade ll buildings: the original symmetricalhospital block built in 1867 by Moffat waslisted in 1998 post-designation, and thetheatre/ recreation hall built in 1896 andlisted in 1987.

The hospital site is regarded as specialfor a number of reasons:

(i) it contains Dodds Farm, the originalasylum conversion and a majorgroup of well-built Victorian hospitalbuildings which are good perioddesigns. Overall there is a uniformityof style and material, an interestingvariety of massing, and a strongsilhouette. All of the Victorianbuildings and boundary wall werebuilt using stone from the nearbyKenton Quarry.

(ii) historically the site represents thedevelopment of mental health care inthe 123 years between 1865 and1988, reflected in building plan andshape.

(iii) The whole complex stands in anattractive mature parkland, which onplan also reflects the historicaldevelopment of the site. Thesurrounding stone wall is a localfeature.

(iv) As an area it is of local significanceas it is unique in Gosforth and theCity and only the mental hospitalwest of Stannington,Northumberland, approaches it inany way in quality and consistency ofdevelopment. It also acts as a greenlung for the surrounding urban area.


The purpose of the Conservation Areadesignation was in 1991 to provide controlover:

• demolition of the hospital buildingsand boundary walls;

• location, design and density of anynew build development to ensure thatit complements and relates to theexisting buildings and parklandsetting;

• protection of the trees prior to thedisposal of the land by the HealthAuthority and the followingimplementation of Tree PreservationOrders.

Boundary of the Conservation AreaThe Conservation Area boundary primarilyincludes the northern half of the originalhospital site. The designated boundariesare as follows: Kenton Road to the west,Kingsmere housing estate to the south,including a section of the former cricketfield, the eastern boundary cuts up at 90degrees in between the two modernclinics (Appleby and Gilsland) and returnsparallel to the hospital drive, running infront of the Royal Mail sorting office andVictorian Boiler House. The northernboundary runs around the Fisher Foodsfactory building and follows the originalboundary wall surroundingNorthumberland Wildlife Trust and PrincesMeadow housing estate area.

“The approved boundary was consideredto provide protection for the most sensitiveparts of the site where pressures will beexerted, to have well-defined boundaries,and to create a compact and easilyrecognisable area”. (J.Edwards, 1991,report by Director of Developmentfollowing consultation).

The former cricket field, entrance driveand Victorian boiler room complex are notwithin the conservation area designationand are potentially worthy of inclusion.The cricket field is protected as openspace within the adopted UDP. There arealso certain areas within the Conservation

Area which have been developed sincedesignation: Princes Meadow housingestate and the wildlife area.

The stone boundary wall, previouslysignificantly higher than it is at present,marks a strong historic boundary. The StNicholas Hospital Conservation Areaoccupies part of a significantly larger areawhich constituted the grounds of the StNicholas Hospital site. The boundaries tothis larger site are clearly visible to thisday. They consist primarily of a tall,approximately 2m high, squared androughly dressed stonewall with a half-round hand-dressed stone coping. To thesouthern boundary only does the walldrops down, by means of an elegant butsimple concave transition, to around 1m inheight, although the detailing remainsotherwise similar. This would have givenextensive views over the open grounds ofthe site, including the cricket field andfarmed areas, with the southern frontageof the hospital buildings also clearly visiblesome 200m to the north.

“The stone boundary wall physicallycontains the whole site and whilstrestricting views into the site emphasisesits well treed nature and forms animportant local feature in the residentialareas surrounding the site. The wall isgenerally 2.5 metres in height around thesite but its height has been reduced alongSalters Road. It is constructed in the mainof the same good quality stonework as themain hospital buildings”. (City PlanningOfficer to Development, 1988).


• St. Nicholas Hospital Conservation Area


2. CONTEXT OFST. NICHOLAS HOSPITALCONSERVATION AREA

2.1 Historical DevelopmentBoundary

The original boundary wall marks the landbought by the Health Commission of theMental Health Corporation ( approximately100 acres) and appears to follow fieldboundaries marked on the 1st edition OSmap. The wall within the conservationarea can be found along the western andnorthern edge. There is some evidence ofgreenhouse structures along the northernsection of the wall, now within the wildlifearea, which were used for marketgardening purposes. The wall surroundsthe western and southern boundaries ofthe Kingsmere housing estate built in thelate 1980s and southern and easternboundaries of the Baronswood housingestate built 1992-1994. Immediately tothe south of the conservation area andadjacent to the Cricket field but part of theoriginal area.

This boundary wall appears to be largelyas originally constructed, which is likely tohave been during the first main phase ofdevelopment in the late 1860’s. This isreinforced by the line of the wall closelyfollowing the vagaries of the previouslyestablished boundary lines, probablythose of the farm site purchased for theinitial establishment of the Hospital in1865. This is particularly notable in thenorth-western corner around Dodd’sFarm. Elsewhere the wall follows theexisting roadways of Jubilee Road,Salter’s Road and Kenton Road. Therewere some later alterations, albeitretaining the same overall character anddetailing, to accommodate the secondmain phase of development in the 1890’s.These included the construction of a newmain entrance on Jubilee Road, and

alterations to allow the erection of twoterraces of housing at the south-easterncorner.

Since then the boundaries remainedessentially unchanged until the 1980’swhen large sections of the site began tobe sold off for development – notablyKingsmere housing estate - occurringbefore the Conservation Area wasdeclared in 1991. As a consequence thisinfill development bears no relation instyle, size or character to the Victorianhospital site. It is as a consequence ofthis that the Conservation Areadesignation includes only limited areas ofthe hospital site, concentrating mainly onthe main remaining hospital buildings. Inaddition a number of alterations to theboundary wall were undertaken toaccommodate the new developments.These included sections where theboundary walls were rebuilt toaccommodate Highway sight-linerequirements, some of which have beeninsensitively undertaken, most notably thatnear the Princes Meadow entrance. Inaddition sections of the southern boundaryhad stone piers added to facilitate theerection of rear garden timber fencing.Consequently much of the original opencharacter of this boundary has now beenlost. Only a short section remains, by theformer cricket field, which still allows longopen views into the hospital site andbuildings.

High Coxlodge/Dodds Farm

The earliest use of the land know knownas St Nicholas hospital appears to beagricultural, with open fields dominatingmuch of the land surrounding theneighbouring village of Coxlodge in 1858(first edition map).

The farmstead on the western boundary ofKenton Road appears on the first editionmap (1858) as High Coxlodge. In 1865the Magistrates of Newcastle purchasedthe homestead, then known as DoddsFarm, and 57 acres of land for a newasylum. Within a year alterations to the


• 1st Edition O.S. map c1858 (Northumberland)

stone cottage, barn and other farmbuildings had been carried out toaccommodate the 33 patients transferredfrom Bensham Asylum.

The 1853 Lunacy Act made localMagistrates responsible foraccommodating and treating pauperlunatics in asylums. The first public asylumin Newcastle, ‘Wardens Close LunaticHospital’, opened in 1767 on the site nearthe present Newcastle Breweries. Thisasylum closed in 1856 due to chronicovercrowding. For the following yearspatients were boarded at Durham and

Bensham Asylums. In 1864 the DurhamCounty Magistrates refused to renew thecontract of Bensham Asylum and so theCorporation Committee were forced tofind a new asylum site.

St Nicholas Hospital became establishedin an era when the foundations of modernPsychiatry were being laid (Alexander,1965).

Main Hospital Block (1867, Moffatt)

Construction of the main hospital blockbegan in 1867, designed by the architectW L Moffat of Edinburgh, who also


designed the Church of St Michael with StLawrence in Byker. The block issymmetrically laid out, designed to facesouth. This building is now Grade 2 listed(this section of the building was completedin 1869). The hospital was officiallyopened in 1869, as ‘Newcastle upon TyneCity Lunatic Asylum’, with 110 patientsadmitted, but the premises were onlypartially completed. The wards in thismain block of the hospital were designedto the principles of ‘open wards’, aspromoted by Florence Nightingale. Thedesign of the asylum buildings was similarto Stafford County Asylum, Burntwood,Lichfield. At this time the main entrance tothe hospital grounds was directly south ofthe building.

The hospital accommodated 250 patientsby 1870.

Extensions (1886, Plummer)

1886-8 saw extensions to the main block,designed by local architect A B Plummerof the Cloth Market, Newcastle. East andwest wings were added to the main blockand the kitchen and dining room extendedand remodelled. This providedaccommodation for an additional 80patients. The east wing extension (Wards1 & 2, Pavilion Block) was demolished inthe early 1990s – the Health Authorityhaving given notice to demolish it, alongwith laundry, in 1990 prior to designation.

Extensions & Additions (1896, Dyson)

By 1891 the number of patients had risento over 400 and the city council decided toenlarge the hospital. Architects wereinvited to compete for the commission of anew separate building to the east of theexisting hospital, which would include:recreation hall, church, residence for theMedical Superintendent, new entrancelodge and 10 cottages for marriedattendants. J W Dyson, architect of GreySt Newcastle who also designed Burt Hall,Northumberland Road, was accepted andadded a massive extension to the east ofthe main block in 1896. He also designeda new laundry, church, theatre/ recreation

hall and more ‘airing yards’ at this time.The Medical Superintendents house wasnever built. The main entrance wasmoved to Jubilee Road. The Laundry wasdemolished in 1990.

The theatre/recreation hall is now listedGrade 2. The Recreation Hall wasopened on 30 May 1900 and has a plaqueto mark the event in the main entrance. Itfeatures a stage surrounded by an ArtNouveau scheme of highly decorativeDoulton tiling. This tiling scheme is rarewithin a mental hospital of that date. It wasdesigned by W J Neatby, who was adesigner for Doultons 1890-1907. Hismost famous work can be found inHarrods Food Hall and the interior ofBlackpool Tower.

By 1900 the hospital providedaccommodation for eleven hundredpatients, reputedly for WWI shell shockvictims.

Villas (1915, Dyson)

In 1915 Dyson also designed twoseparate red-bricked villas, North & SouthVillas These were demolished long beforedesignation of the Conservation Area andthe site is now occupied by a modernclinic. The villas were initially used forFirst World War casualties brought in bytrain, to West Gosforth station. The wholehospital was taken over by the ‘Ministry ofWar’ during the First World War andhanded back to the city in 1920 when itwas re-named ‘City of Newcastle MentalHospital’.

The hospital was taken over by theNational Health Service in 1948 andrenamed ‘St Nicholas Hospital’.

2.2 Recent ChangesSale of Buildings & Land (1980s)

As part of the government mental healthstrategy, ‘Care in the Community’, mid1980s, the large hospital was no longerrequired as the philosophy had changedto favour smaller units around the city.


• 2nd Edition O.S. map c1898

Gradually patients were transferred fromthis large Victorian hospital to modernalternative accommodation. As a resultthe NHS wanted to generate income andsell sections of the hospital.

New Development (1990s- present, postConservation Area designation)

• Northumberland Wildlife Trust VisitorCentre built in 1993.

• Ashgrove Nursing Home built in1994 (on the site of the Victorianchurch that was burnt down).

• Planning permission for the newhousing estate ‘Princes Meadow’was granted in November 1994, 64dwellings.

• Residential conversion of DoddsFarm, after appeal against


• Extract from O.S. map c1921

Conservation Area consent todemolish.

• Conversion of original hospital blockbegan 2001, ‘Lanesborough Court’,still ongoing.

2.3 Landscape ContextTopography and Geology

The topography of the St NicholasHospital Conservation Area is relativelyflat and undramatic, lying at between 65and 85m above sea level. The overallarea slopes gently to the east, with ashallow valley toward the easternentrance. The drift geology consists ofglacial boulder clay of varying thickness.


This overlays a mixture of sandstone andcarboniferous coal measures, with a faultline (90 Fathom Fault) running beneath thesouthern boundary of the hospital site.

Although primarily a rural area until the midnineteenth century there was coal miningin the area, with pits located a little to theNorth of the Conservation Area (CoxlodgeColliery – Jubilee and Regency Pits). Inaddition the southern and easternboundaries appear to broadly follow theline of former waggonways. However bythe end of the nineteenth century the Pitswere already disused, and there is nowlittle direct evidence of the effects ofmining within the Conservation Area.There was also a quarry presentimmediately to the north west of theConservation Area.

Parkland & Open spaces

- Vegetation

Parkland and open-spaces wereincorporated within the area from theopening of the hospital, with ‘airinggrounds’ being a feature of the originaldesign by Moffat. Sunken gardens andworkshops also added to the feeling ofwell being and provision of fresh air.Farming and gardening was a profitablepart of the hospital and provided freshfood for the patients and healthy activity.18 acres of the farmland was leased off toa local green grocer and fruiterer in 1965.

Mature trees can be found along theinside of the boundary wall at a number ofplaces within the area, a remnant of theoriginal boundary. Tree planting is shownaround the southern, western and sectionsof the northern boundary on the 1898second edition OS maps. To this daythere remains a substantial perimeter ofmature trees which by their age andlocation are clearly from the originalplanting, albeit with some losses and afew replacements.

In addition there are significant areas ofrelatively mature trees within the site.These include an informal “Avenue” along

the main entrance road, and planting in thearea around the cricket field. Theseappear somewhat younger, and are notshown on the 1898 OS map, although theyare present on the 1921 edition. Alongwith their size this suggests they wereplanted as part of the main second phaseof development in the late 1890’s.

The mature tree planting consists primarilyof forest scale trees such as Ash, Lime,Sycamore and Elm (although few Elmsnow survive). These trees all make asignificant contribution to the character ofthe site, and this is reflected by almost allof them being covered by various TreePreservation Orders (TPO). This doeshelp provide some degree of long-termprotection to the tree cover. However thefact that most of the trees in a given areaare of similar character and age will tendto result in them all becoming over-matureat around the same time, typically over thenext 50 years or so. As dangerous treesare removed this could lead to asignificant and relatively rapid decrease inmature tree cover. It is therefore importantin maintaining the tree cover that amanaged approach to new planting isimplemented. At the least this wouldinclude replacing any felled trees on a likefor like basis. This should allow the newtrees to develop to a significant sizebefore the older trees need to beremoved, and also help introduce a moremixed age structure to the tree planting.

The only other significant area of treecover is in the area around theNorthumberland Wildlife Trust Offices andVisitor Centre. However this is all fairlyrecent planting (probably 10-15 years ofage), and although significant by itsdensity it will be some time before this ison the same scale as the original hospitalplanting.

Shrub planting within the hospital site isalmost conspicuous by its absence.Although there are some shrubs, mostlyassociated with the buildings, the majorityof the site consists of open grassland with


trees. This is unusual for a Victoriandevelopment, where substantial areas ofdense shrubbery were popular. Thesetypically contained large and oftenevergreen shrubs such as Laurel, Aucubaand Rhododendron. A good example isHunter’s Moor Hospital where matureshrubbery and trees characterise much ofthe site. It therefore seems likely that therelative absence of shrub planting was adeliberate policy. Presumably thisreflected the fact that this was an Asylum,and therefore that dense shrubbery wasnot felt to be conducive to safe andeffective management of the patients.

Site Infrastructure

Although the site does have a relativelygrand formal entrance with Lodge at theeast, circulation within the “Hospital”section of the site itself is all fairly low-key.The main roadway is only around 5mwide, with a footway to one side. Otherroads within this area are only 3m or lesswith no footways. Kerb detailing is fairlylow key, consisting of relatively modernpre-cast concrete kerbs and pin-kerbs.Surface treatments are generally blackasphalt or tarmacadam to the roadwaysand relatively recent red tarmacadam tofootways. In many places inconsistentrepairs and ad hoc alterations andadditions, such as bollards and stones toprevent vehicle encroachment, havecontributed to the present impression of alow key and relatively unplannedinfrastructure.

This contrasts with the areas of newhousing development. These are allaccessed from new openings formedwithin the hospital perimeter wall, ratherthan from the main hospital entrance.They also all have reasonably high qualityconstruction and a fairly typical modernlayout, largely reflecting the guidelines andconstraints of Highway Adoptionprocedures.

Other features

The recent tree planting within theNorthumberland Wildlife Trust area has

already been mentioned. The remainderof this section is, as would be expected,also managed for wildlife. This includesareas of meadow grassland, ponds andthe like. Although a pleasant green oasiswithin the site, this style of management isnot particularly consistent with the overallcharacter of the hospital site, which ismuch more grand and formal. This area ofthe site appears to have originally been a“market garden” area, and some remainsof the lean-to greenhouses are visible inthis section of the boundary wall, which isfaced with formerly whitewashed brick onthe southern face, although the northernface is stone as the rest.

The Princes Meadow section of theConservation Area contains a number oflarge trees which date from the originalsite development. Most of these are nowwithin an area of open space, including achildren’s play area, and which also helpsform the setting for the Dodds Farmrefurbishment.

The former cricket field area includes asubstantial levelled area which appears tohave been set out some time ago,although somewhat after the main sitedevelopment. This also includes a grassbank forming a viewing terrace to thewestern side. This is backed by a stoneretaining wall around 1m high. Althoughconstructed of the same stone as theboundary wall, the workmanship is not asgood, and the copings vary in slightly inwidth and finish, including some whichhave formerly had metal railings set intothe top. This suggests that this is a muchlater addition constructed from materialsalvaged from various demolitions withinthe site.

The Sub-Division of the ConservationArea

There are three distinct sub-areas withinthe Conservation Area:

(i) Victorian Hospital Buildings

(ii) Wildlife Area

(iii) Princes Meadow Housing Estate.


3. SETTLEMENTASSESSMENT – BUILTCHARACTER &LANDSCAPEASSESSMENT

3.1 Sub-Area 1:Hospital Buildings

Only part of the tree lined entrance driveoff Jubilee Road is included within theconservation area boundary even thoughthe entire length makes an importantcontribution to the setting of theconservation area. The high sandstonewall and entrance pillars on Jubilee Roadcreate a strong formal entrance. Behind,the meandering drive way lined by rows ofmature trees provides an attractiveparkland setting, integral to the characterand appearance of the conservation areaas a whole. These trees assist inscreening the adjacent twentieth centuryhousing and car park. The CCTV cameraaerials, large entrance signs adjacent tothe car park and bulky industrial cladRoyal Mail depot building are intrusive andinsensitive features in this area andseverely detract from the otherwiseimpressive entrance drive.

This sub-area contains the purpose builtmid Victorian hospital buildings and theirimmediate landscape setting. Theretention of these buildings and groundswas the principle reason for thedesignation of the conservation area.

Within this group are the only listedbuildings within the conservation area: theGrade II listed Moffat block 1867-69 andthe Dyson Theatre 1896. The hospitalcomplex has developed historically in alinear arrangement, west to east, using thesame good quality building materialsthroughout; natural sandstone and slate.This provides the complex with an overallunity together with the palette of classicallyinfluenced proportions and detailing. Allthe elevations of the main complex arewell considered, so the buildings are seenas a whole as grand imposing structuresin a parkland setting. The listed Moffatblock was designed principally to facesouth as the original entrance driveentered from this direction. The mainentrance was afterwards moved to JubileeRoad. The later Dyson block incomparison is more of a collection ofbuildings, centred around a large internalcourtyard within this courtyard is aprincipal diagonal connecting corridor.This complex remains under NHS trustadministration as a working hospital. Itwas designed to be accessed off JubileeRoad with the main administration blockon the north elevation.

The change of emphasis of the principalroute into the hospital grounds causes adichotomy both to the architecture and thenetwork of paths and roads. The main

• Jubilee Road entrance • North entrance - Dyson complex


designed. The extensive footprint of thecomplex creates an impression of thesprawling development. The chimneysand Italianate style surveillance towers areinteresting features regularly breaking theskyline. The four storey clock towerimmediately behind the main northentrance is a dominant feature within thehospital grounds.

The Dyson complex is currently in theprocess of restoration. Notably to thesouth east are several modern brickextensions, links and electrical substationswhich all detract from the overall characterof the area, as they are not in keeping withthe surrounding structures.

driveway accesses off Jubilee Road runeast to west immediately to the north ofthe Dyson complex, with numeroussecondary roads and paths joining at 90o.They provide access to the hospital andlinks to the later developments to the north.To the south a narrow access road runsalong side the present hospital boundary.The orientation of the principal throughroutes within the grounds are parallel tothe hospital buildings, therefore theimpressive building facades are never fullyappreciated, seen only at a sidewaysglance. Appreciation of the formal southelevation of the Moffat block has beenadversely affected by the late 1980sKingsmere housing development to thesouth. Long parkland views from SaltersRoad are no longer feasible, with theexception of the cricket pitch.

The Dyson complex was built 1896-99 inan austere late Victorian style; two storeysandstone ashlar facades with timbersash windows and Welsh slate roof. Theextensive elevations are relieved byprojecting wings and wide bay windows.Within each pavilion block there is adiscernable symmetry, the complex as awhole is, however, asymmetrically

• Driveway to the north of the Dyson complex

• South access road


There are large open spaces to the eastand south of this wing, which include somemature trees. The open spaces aretypical of the original hospital settingcontaining grassland and mature trees.The boundary of the conservation areacuts through a large green area, formerlyused as a cricket field. This large, fairlyflat and regular shaped area is surroundedto the west and east by modern housingdevelopments. The boundary through theformer cricket field is ad hoc, there isnothing on the ground to formally markwhere it is precisely.

To the south the listed Theatre marks the

extent of the Dyson development 1896-99.The elevational treatment is dictated bythe function. The tall round headedwindows, with two sub-arches and aroundel to the side elevations are the onlyfeatures of interest. The interiordecoration is of particular merit. Betweenthe Moffat and Dyson complexes on thesouthern elevation and projecting forwardis the remaining Plummer east wing 1886-88. The mid-twentieth century two storeyflat roofed extension to the south elevationwith serrated projecting window baystogether with the brick and metal fencingenclosure detracts from the character andappearance of the conservation area.

• Moffat complex

• Dyson complex


The first purpose built hospital by Moffat1867-69 is currently undergoingrenovation and conversion to dwellings.The complex as a whole has theappearance of a grand stately home. Theplan form is an elongated ‘I’ form with acentral and intermediate projecting bays.The principle elevation is the southelevation which is two storey withGeorgian-style timber sash windows. Thiselevation is modulated by the centralprojecting bay which is Palladian inappearance, and symmetrical wings withintermediate symmetrical projecting baysand end wings. The end wings provide asense of enclosure and strong stop ends.The length of the elevation is impressive,creating the single most dominant featurewithin the conservation area. To the south,adjacent to the access road besideBaronswood Housing Estate, is a recently

installed modern style ornate blackpainted railing, denoting the land now inprivate ownership as a result of theresidential conversion. This interrupts thecontinuity of the landscape setting.

The west elevation of the Moffat hospital,although of the same Georgian styledesign as the principal south elevation, issubservient in character and lessimposing. It is seen set into the landscapewith a large centrally placed airing-groundfrom which rises a steep containingembankment. The articulated roof form,chimneys, and Italianate turrets with daintyornate iron weather vanes are dominantfeatures. To the south west a continuousswathe of mature trees conceal the latetwentieth century loss of the parklandsetting up to Kenton Road by the PrincesMeadow Housing Estate.

• Moffat complex

• Northern facade - Moffat complex


to the grand south elevation with functionalprojecting washroom wings. Thecharacter essentially is Victorian, witheclectic detailing but with Georgian-stylewindows. It is now almost entirelyscreened by the recent developmentswhich frame the Moffat administrativeblock. Princes Meadow housing estate ineffect backs onto hospital. The latetwentieth century detached housing, withpastiche detailing creates an unfortunatejuxtaposition of scale and architecture withthe Grand Victorian hospital. To the west,the late twentieth century ‘LanesboroughCourt’ free standing row of pastiche artsand crafts style white wash cottages,projects forward of the Dyson block of1915-17. These two developmentstogether with the Ashgrove Nursing homeform a very congested and unresolvedarea within the conservation area whichdetracts from the character andappearance as a whole.

Ashgrove Nursing Home, built in 1994, ispartly on the site of the former hospitalchurch, which sadly burnt down in 1986. Itis a building of modern style with littlearchitectural value. The brick used isslightly lighter in colour than that used inthe neighbouring Princes Meadow estate.This factor combined with the differentcoloured window surrounds, browncompared to the white used in PrincesMeadow further increases the feeling ofad hoc development and illustrates thelack of harmony between the adjacentbuildings. There is a small car park to thesouth of the building, which neither adds toor detracts from the character of the areadue to the close proximity to the housingestate.

To the north of the Victorian hospitalcomplex there is a row of cottages andvillas. The Arcadian setting of these

buildings is retained and they are wellscreened by hedges and mature trees.Church View, West Villa and KeswickHouse, single storey with two storeyelements are of the same character andappearance as the Dyson complex;sandstone ashlar, slate roofs andVictorian timber sash windows. Rosecottage is a mid twentieth century house,built in red brick and pebbledash which isnot in keeping with the adjacent row ofVictorian villas. This building adds to thehaphazard character of the area due to themany different styles and uses of

neighbouring buildings which are all closeto each other. Rose Cottage visually issubsumed into the Princes Meadowhousing estate and Ashgrove NursingHome.

Special Characteristics:

• Impressive south elevation of theMoffat hospital block. Intricatedetailing of door and windowsurrounds

• Quality of design and materials ofthe purpose built Moffat and Dysonmid Victorian Hospital Buildings

• Theatre

• Uniformity of buildings

• Pastoral Parkland Settingsignificance of mature trees.

Against the Grain:

• Ashgrove Nursing Home

The central projecting administrative blockof the Moffat complex is all that remainsvisible of the extensive northern façade,previously viewed across an openparkland setting. This entire elevation wasdesigned from the outset to be secondary

• Cottages and Villas


• Later brick extensions & sub-stationsto the Dyson complex

• Modern links

• Rose Cottage

Key Issues

• Retention of the open space andpastoral parkland setting and treecover

• Review of the conservation areaboundaries to include the formercricket field, entrance drive andVictorian boiler room complex.

• Appropriate traffic management andparking on access roads.

Enhancement Potential:

• Improve quality of open spaces anddamaged grassed areas and vergesdue to ongoing construction workand unauthorised parking

• Removal/improvement of poorquality recent development

3.2 Sub-Area 2 :Wildlife Area

This area was used for market gardeningin the early days of the hospital and initiallyprovided recreational activity and produce

sustainable design used as a VisitorCentre and offices. The reserve isenclosed to the north by the originalboundary wall where there is evidence of alean-to greenhouse, to the west by fencingmarking the boundary of gardens in thePrinces Meadow housing estate, trees tosouth which screen the hospital buildingsand a road to east used for access toFisher Foods.

Once within the wildlife area thesurroundings are visually screened byvegetation, creating a feeling ofseparation from the outside environment.Visitors could imagine they were in a rurallocation rather than surrounded bycommercial buildings and medium densityhousing, if it were not for the noise fromthe neighbouring food factory and busyroads. This use of space conserves thearea and is valuable in this sense. Theground level vegetation is purposelyovergrown with a winding tarmac pathleading towards the visitor centre. Thislargely wooden and glass contemporary

for the patients. Part of the land was laterleased to a fruiterer (18 acres in 1965).

The area is currently used as a local mini-nature reserve by Northumberland WildlifeTrust. There has been the addition ofseveral features: ponds, ‘art in nature’sculptures constructed of timber and stoneand a glass fronted building of modern

design building looks southwards onto agrassed area containing mature trees andshrubs, forming the southern boundary ofthe wildlife area. There is a small car parkto the east of the visitor centre.

The headquarters of NorthumberlandWildlife Trust is based in the VictorianGarden House, which is situated in thevery north east corner of the conservationarea. This cottage built in sandstoneashlar with a welsh slate roof is similar incharacter to the Dyson complex. The

• Garden House

• Visitor Centre


dainty white painted timber porch createsa sense of a cottage ornée, popular in theVictorian period. It is screened from themain wildlife area by trees and bushes.


• Large open area amongst housingand commercial development whichhas never been developed

• The Garden House

Key Issues:

• Retention of the open space

3.3 Sub-Area 3:Princes MeadowHousing Estate

This estate was built in 1994 andincorporates 64 dwellings.

This modern housing estate consists ofself-contained cul-de-sacs of detachedtwo storey homes with small gardens. Thefairly compact arrangement of dwellingsradically changes and detracts from thecharacter of the area, which was formerlyan open Pastoral parkland setting withmature trees in informal groupings. Thesmall, generally very well maintainedgardens surrounded by fencing or brickwalls, are a contrast to the more informalopen spaces found elsewhere within theconservation area. The houses are built ofsandy coloured modern brick with creamartstone quoins and white framedwindows, in a pastiche neo-Victorian style.All of the houses are of the same style anduse the same materials throughout withthe exception of red or grey concrete rooftiles.

The road through the estate meandersand provides good open space linkage. Itincorporates attractive, softeninglandscaping features of curved walkways,pavements and garden boundaries. Thedevelopment is typical of a modernhousing estate and once within the estatethe visitor could be in any modern housingestate. The appearance and atmosphere

is very different to the adjacent hospitalbuildings in scale, massing, layout anddetailing. Once inside the estate asidefrom the occasional view of the hospitaltowers and spires visible over the houses,there is little indication that it is within aconservation area. The original boundarywall marks the north and westernboundaries of the estate. The northernarea of the estate beside Rose Cottage isespecially compact in arrangement. Theloss of the original setting and lack ofharmony with the Victorian Hospital Sitedetracts from the essential character ofthe conservation area.

When entering the conservation area fromthe south west corner to access the estatethe Moffat hospital block can be seen tothe east. Though somewhat screened bymature trees the building has an attractive,proud presence. The mature tree beltbeside the airing ground of the west wingassist in screening the Victorian hospitalfrom the new housing development. Thenew road and black railings stronglydenote the boundary between the new andthe old site character and uses.

• Princes Meadow Housing Estate

• Dodds Farm House


The sub-area contains the convertedDodds Farm, which was the originalbuilding in the conservation area. Theoriginal farmhouse and contemporaryadditions overlook an open green space.The green incorporates the mature treesthat were present before the housingestate was built and the area now containsa children’s play area. These featuressignificantly add to the character of thearea as here the new development issensitively integrated with the historiccharacter of the site. The retention of themature trees and Farm House, isimportant as they are a reminder of thecharacter of the original site. The originalfarmhouse has been re-converted forresidential use and divided into smallerdwellings. There have been substantialadditions to the building in the form ofextensions and construction of completelynew buildings adjoining it using differentmaterials to original farmhouse: whiterendering, white door surrounds, red-coloured brick.


• Dodds Farm conversion

• Open-linked green space withmature trees

Against the Grain:

New Housing: compact arrangement,small/contemporary gardens?

Key Issues:

• Retention of the open green spacewith mature trees and Dodds Farmconversion

• Review of the conservation areaboundaries

• Redevelopment of West Court flatson Kenton Road adjacent to DoddsFarm.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Ordnance Survey map data used inthis publication is provided by NewcastleCity Council under licence from theOrdnance Survey in order to fulfil its publicfunction as a planning authority.

Persons viewing this mapping wishing touse Ordnance Survey data should contactOrdnance Survey Copyright.

Photographs used in this document arecopyright of Newcastle City Council unlessstated otherwise.

Aerial photographs are copyright of:

i) Cities Revealed® aerialphotography

©The Geoinformation Group.

St Nicholas Hospital Consevation Area Character Statement

For further information contact:Historic Environmernt SectionUrban Design & Conservation GroupPlanning and Transportation DivisionRegeneration DirectorateTel. No. 0191 2115625Fax. No. 0191 2114998

This document was approved asSupplementary Planning Guidanceon 30/05/2003Printed April 2005

www.newcastle.gov.uk

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