Plans to transform a Deckham pub into a community hub and housing have been given the go-ahead despite an outcry from residents.
Gateshead Council’s planning committee unanimously voted to approve proposals from charity Handcrafted to give the Shakespeare Inn a new lease of life on Wednesday.
Councillors were following the recommendation of the authority’s planning department which said “the development has been able to demonstrate that it is acceptable in principle”.
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The Durham based organisation helps people to develop skills, build confidence and “engage in positive activity”.
It does this through practical training and creative activities which run from 9am until 4pm on weekdays.
Handcrafted also wants to put four one-bedroom flats on the first floor of the hostelry.
A report heard by the committee said that it had five letters of objection raising fears about anti-social behaviour, drugs, criminal activity and being intimidating.
A 152-signature petition objecting to the loss of the Fife Street pub has also been lodged with the authority.
However, 17 letters of support for the scheme have also been sent to the council.
Supporters say that the charity is “well established” with a “proven record in training people in new skills” as well as helping to house vulnerable people.
A leaflet distributed by the charity to nearby properties explained the proposals.
In it the organisation described how the premises could also be used for a community café which would be open to the general public.
Alongside the café, it said a new training kitchen will offer cookery classes to people being trained by the charity.
Behind the café, Handcrafted will open what it describes as a ‘makers’ space’ where it will provide the tools and knowledge to help people learn about woodworking and discover working with other materials.
The leaflet added: “These projects will be open to new referrals and be offered alongside our popular women’s craft group where we will look at soap making, resin casting, flower pressing and many other exciting crafts.”
