Newcastle University bosses give update on future of Henderson Old Hall after fierce fire
University bosses have officially lodged plans to restore a historic building that was ravaged by a huge fire.
Henderson Old Hall, in High Heaton, Newcastle, suffered severe damage in a dramatic blaze in June 2023.
Newcastle University confirmed earlier this year that it wanted to repair the grade II listed site, following fears from former students who worried that their old halls of residence could be lost forever after being left exposed to the elements for months after the fire.
A planning application to carry out a first phase of restoration works has now been submitted to Newcastle City Council, aimed at returning the 1930s hall to its previous condition.
It details how the fire resulted in the complete loss of the hall’s original roof and all windows on the second and third floors.
The university plans to reconstruct those and repair all other external damage to provide a “weather and watertight shell”, which would allow the building to “dry out” before further repairs are undertaken.
Roof lights, cast iron gutters, and masonry walls will be replaced, while new alarms and CCTV will also be installed.
The plans also reveal that water used to extinguish the blaze, followed by months in which the building was left exposed to the elements, has led to “severe deterioration” at its lower levels.
That includes “irreparable” harm to its Great Hall, damaging oak floor boards, a decorative ceiling, and other fixtures that will be stripped out and later reinstated in a second phase of development.
A report from Space architects states: “The current condition of the building fabric, despite works to halt the ingress of water through the open second floor, means that the building’s condition continues to deteriorate (albeit slowly). This means there is a continual reduction and impact on the architectural and historical interest of the building.
“The proposed works therefore seek to halt that deterioration in both condition and significance in a way that returns the building to a state that closely represents its original form prior to the fire. The majority of proposals are on a like for like basis and as such will either replicate or enhance the significance of the building and allow it to recover prior to further development proposals.
“The works are therefore perceived to represent less than substantial harm. The minor harm perhaps caused by the removal and delayed reinstatement of the Great Hall fabric is outweighed by the public benefit of returning the roof and shell back to a water and weathertight state, halting any further decay.”
Henderson Old Hall was the first purpose-built student halls for male students of what was then Armstrong College in the early 1930s and remained in use as accommodation until the late 2010s.
It was left empty after its closure and was disused at the time of the fire.
Save Britain’s Heritage named the Red Hall Drive site as among the country’s most endangered heritage assets this year.
Local councillor Greg Stone told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Ward councillors very much welcome the fact that the Old Hall will be conserved and our initial impression is that the plans are sensitive and respectful of the listed building’s heritage. We know local residents will be relieved the site will be restored and we look forward to learning more about plans for its long term use.”
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