Leazes House, 1782

We were appointed by Newcastle University in June 2007 to assist FaulknerBrown Architects in their work on the new Medical Research Department for the University. A Grade II Listed former brewery house existing on the site lies within a Conservation Area and was to be incorporated into the development. We were commissioned to undertake a Conservation Audit and prepare a report to support the Planning and Listed Building Consent Applications which included investigation of the building, its former uses and owners. A condition of the Planning Approval was the completion of an English Heritage Level 4 survey on the house and the associated brewery buildings which were to be demolished. Research revealed that the house had been designed by John Smeaton in 1782 as part of a water powered snuff mill, the only one known to be by him in the country. We have continued to advise on the conservation issues associated with this listed building whose refurbishment, as part of the wider project, is now approaching completion.