Former Bensham church and GP practice set to become community hub

A former church and ex-GP practice in Bensham has been granted a new lease of life as a community centre.

108 Rawling Road in Bensham has been permitted by Gateshead councillors to now operate as a community hub. Local charity Bensham and Saltwell Alive plan to operate out of the building.

Bensham and Saltwell Alive have already been holding youth activities in the building but now plan to expand. Plans submitted to the council would divide the ground floor into nine separate rooms but proposed no external alterations.

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Chair of the charity and deputy mayor of Gateshead, Robert Waugh said: "We have been really keen on making this building a hub for the community and we are delighted it has passed the planning process. We hope to open as soon as possible, hopefully by March or April.

"We are now working to get the whole community involved".

In the coming months, the new hub will house a community cafe, expand its youth provision, and provide a space for Turkish refugees in the area. The centre will have one full-time member of staff, assisted by two part-time members, and will open between 7am and 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Lobley Hill and Bensham councillor Kevin Dodds said: "I am delighted these proposals have been approved. The building will provide additional facilities for the people of Bensham."

Council officers found no reason to object to the changes and recommended councillors voted to approve the conversion.

The officers' report stated: "The property is currently vacant, and the change of use will facilitate bringing a vacant commercial property back into use, providing a local hub for the community. Therefore, the proposed change of use is considered acceptable in accordance with the Local Plan for Gateshead."

Gateshead's planning and development committee voted unanimously in favour of the project.

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