Bensham’s The Ravensworth Hotel set to made into flats

Gateshead Council is now considering plans to repurpose The Bensham Jockey, on Bensham Road, into seven flats with a new shopping area on the ground level. The plans call for the demolition of the current ground floor extensions to make way for a 178m2 commercial floor plan.

The pub had been previously known as the Ravensworth Hotel. 

The proposals also include 11 parking spaces including one specifically for motorbikes. A disabled bay and electric car area are also planned.

The application’s transport report states: “There is a huge number and wide range of local amenities within convenient walking and cycling distances of the site. It is therefore the case that the proposed development is located in an extremely sustainable location.” 

The application goes on to state the site is well serviced by public transport including several bus routes. 

A previous application for similar plans was approved by the local authority in 2024.

The council’s report at the time stated: “The application will see a redundant building brought back into use. The building has become rundown over the years and therefore it is considered the proposed external alterations would bring the building back to a usable state and the alterations would positively contribute to the immediate vicinity.” 

At the time of publication the application has yet not been decided by either councillors or council planners. The plans remain open to public commentary through the local authority’s online planning portal.