The Nobbys Lighthouse cottages will soon be used by a range of writers and artists after a not-for-profit group won approval to use the dormant heritage buildings.
Newcastle council recently approved the Hunter Writers Centre's change-of-use development application for the three cottages to be used as a multi-arts facility.
The organisation had lodged the DA in April, proposing multiple potential uses of the heritage site including studio spaces, galleries, events and a teahouse.
Only one submission was lodged in response to the plans, raising concerns about vehicle movements on the refurbished Macquarie Pier walkway. These have been restricted under the conditions of consent to a maximum of two per week.
Under the approved plans, artists can use studio spaces 10am-4pm Tuesday to Friday and a gallery and store can operate 8am-4pm weekends and public holidays. The proposed teahouse did not win council approval.
The lighthouse precinct will remain accessible to the public on weekends and public holidays as it is now.
Hunter Writers Centre will only initially operate the resident studio spaces. HWC director Karen Crofts said up until the Hunter went into lockdown the site was being prepared to accommodate its first residencies.
"There will be cultural practitioners from all walks of life on the weekdays doing their artistic, creative practice," Ms Crofts said.
"We've already got ready to go a beautiful mix of writers, ceramicists, photographers, printmakers, musicians, illustrators and weavers."
Ms Crofts said the residencies at Lighthouse Arts were "daytime only" and artists would book one or two days per week, for six weeks.
"We can accommodate about 40 a week," she said.
Ms Crofts said once the lockdown eased and residencies began, Hunter Writers Centre would ultimately focus on establishing a gallery in one of the cottages.
A live events venue is also part of the organisation's longer term plans for the site, which it has an agreement to use for at least two years.
Hunter Writers Centre won a $135,000 grant from Newcastle council last year to help turn its vision into development plans.
The grant came after the Port Authority of NSW, which owns the lighthouse buildings, sought community input about potential uses of the site in late 2019.
