Apartments block plan for site of arson - hit hotel; Victorian building was demolished after blaze

Byline: SONIA SHARMA

It was closed for around six months before the blaze and had suffered a series of vandal attacks.When it was set on fire, it took more than 30 firefighters around four hours to put out the flames. Nobody has ever been caught for the arson attack on the building.The firm will be asked to set aside pounds 9,680 for medical improvements. The Primary Care Trust (PCT) says the money will be used for the Portugal Place Health Centre, which is currently over capacity.After the fire, which badly damaged the structure's roof and windows, it was demolished for safety reasons. The cleared site is currently surrounded by a metal fence.In 2007, the old Carville Hotel was placed on a register of buildings of special interest."The proposal would be to use the contribution to carry out improvement works to the Portugal Place Health Centre, including extending into the courtyard to form two new clinical rooms."A contribution of pounds 9,260 is being suggested for play facilities.The former Carville Hotel, on Carville Road, in Wallsend, was burnt down by arsonists in April last year.If the plans are approved, there will be 16 two-bedroom homes and four one-bedroom apartments spread across two blocks. Some 20 car parking spaces are also proposed.The company hopes the new homes, located near a bus terminal and the Wallsend Metro station, will help towards the town's regeneration.The scheme is to be discussed by North Tyneside Council's planning committee tomorrow and officers are recommending approval of the project, subject to an agreement whereby the developer must pay towards health and play facilities in the area."The proposal is considered to be a positive form of development for the site."A VICTORIAN building that was destroyed in a severe fire is set to be replaced by new apartment blocks.People moving into the new apartments are expected to register at this centre, which would result in greater pressure on its services.In a planning report, officers have said: "There are no objections in principle to the redevelopment of this site for residential development. It makes efficient use of a vacant brownfield site within the existing built-up area.HISTORY LOST Firefighters at the scene of the blaze at the former Carville Hotel in Wallsend last yearThe pub, built in 1893, had been in a derelict condition.CAPTION(S):Now Newcastle-based Taylored Commercial Ltd are planning to build 20 apartments in the area, aimed at single people, couples or small families.

HISTORY LOST Firefighters at the scene of the blaze at the former Carville Hotel in Wallsend last year