Newcastle campaigners fear loss of hidden Victorian gem

Tyneside heritage bodies have hit out at the plans for a major overhaul of a disused railway yard next to Central Station.

The Forth Goods Yard, owned by Network Rail, is earmarked for 514 build-to-rent apartments and a 655-space multi-storey car park, under proposals currently under consideration by Newcastle City Council. 

But there are concerns that a historic undercroft below the yard will be mostly demolished as part of the regeneration bid.

A Victorian undercroft beneath the Forth Goods Yard in Newcastle. Photo: Railway Heritage Trust. Free to reuse for all LDR partners.

The vaulted undercroft is the only surviving feature of the former Forth Banks Goods Station, which was built between 1866 and 1871 and closed in 1963, and is described as having effectively been inaccessible for decades.

But Tim Wickens, of the Newcastle Conservation Advisory Panel (NCAP), said it was “deeply disturbing that such valuable and irreplaceable historic fabric could be lost forever”.

NCAP, as well fellow heritage group The Northumberland & Newcastle Society, have called for the undercroft to be protected – as has been the case at other stations such as Manchester Piccadilly.

In its objection to the plans, NCAP states: “Forth Goods Yard is located within an area of the city that collectively gives context to the group richness of railway heritage, and the historic undercroft is an asset that we can ill afford to lose.

“This heritage has been instrumental as the basis of regenerating the adjacent Stephenson Quarter and Founders Place, recognising their status as the birthplace of globally significant railway engineering.

“In summary NCAP is opposed to the principle of this proposed development on grounds of impact on the historic environment, generic lack of respect for heritage, specifically harm to the undercroft and to the setting of other heritage assets.”

A Victorian undercroft beneath the Forth Goods Yard in Newcastle. Photo: Railway Heritage Trust. Free to reuse for all LDR partners.

It has been suggested that the proposed multi-storey car park could be relocated to the site of the Safestore building on Forth Street in order to protect the undercroft from demolition.

Historic England granted a Certificate of Immunity from Listing for the underground structure in May 2024 – guaranteeing that it cannot not be listed or subject to a Building Preservation Notice until 2029.

NCAP said it was not consulted on that matter, which it said was “profoundly disturbing” and prevented them from reviewing or challenging the decision.

A heritage impact assessment submitted with the application, made by bloc and Government property company Platform 4, confirms that the proposed development will require the demolition of the majority of the undercroft – though it says sections of the arches on Pottery Lane will be preserved “where possible”. 

It describes the undercroft as having “very limited architectural significance as it represents only a fragment of the former Forth Banks Goods Station which it formed part of” and that it is “no longer possible to appreciate the architectural significance of the overall building”.

Nick Legget, development director at bloc Ltd, said: “Our plans for Forth Goods Yard will transform the heart of Newcastle through vital regeneration while paying close attention to the area’s industrial heritage.

“Delivering 500 homes, enhanced station parking and new public spaces in this long-neglected area is challenging and requires careful, considered design work. The undercroft poses a particular challenge, with the structures having been heavily altered and requiring significant ongoing maintenance and investment.

“With these issues in mind, and expert heritage assessments concluding the
undercroft does not have a level of significance that would justify full preservation, partial demolition is being proposed to enable a viable redevelopment of the site.

“A portion of the undercroft will be retained, structurally protected and refurbished for future reuse.

“This will allow the retained arches to contribute to new public spaces and improved connections, while delivering safe, step-free access for people with disabilities that would otherwise not be possible.

“This balanced approach reflects a clear commitment to respecting the site’s
heritage, while also delivering wider public benefits as we unlock this transformative regeneration of the Forth Yards area.”

Historic England confirmed that NCAP is not on its list of consultees and were not contracted as part of the assessment of the Forth Goods Yard.