Former Royal British Legion Club in West Jesmond to Make Way for 40 Flats

Plans to knock down the former Royal British Legion club on West Jesmond Avenue and replace it with 40 apartments have been approved by Newcastle City Council. As reported by JesmondLocal, the council's planning committee gave the go-ahead on 18 September.

The Site

The club, at 1-3 West Jesmond Avenue, ran for nearly 50 years before closing in December 2022. The application (reference 2025/0826/01/DET) was submitted by developer Modo Bloc, with DPP Planning as planning consultant.

What Will Be Built

The approved scheme is a five-storey building with 40 one and two-bedroom homes, made up of 28 flats and 12 maisonettes, according to Newcastle Times. There will be a gym for residents on the ground floor. No car parking is included, because the site is close to West Jesmond Metro station. The scheme includes no affordable housing, which the council accepted on viability grounds.

Approval is subject to a Section 106 legal agreement being completed by 18 March 2027, and no date has been set for demolition.

Objections and Support

The council received 15 formal objections from surrounding properties. Concerns included overdevelopment, overshadowing, parking pressure, the density of the scheme, pressure on local infrastructure, noise and traffic.

Views among people living nearby are divided. Speaking to JesmondLocal, one resident said: "I think it's a great thing to happen to Jesmond." Another, who described the closed club as an eyesore, wanted to know what the rents would be, while a student living nearby said she was worried about noise.

Earlier Plans

This is not the first attempt to redevelop the site. A 2021 plan for student accommodation was refused after more than 80 objections, and a scheme for 12 apartments was put forward in 2023, as reported by Place North East.

For other changes around the station, see our news on Awesome Franks' new cocktail bar at West Jesmond Metro.