Dakota Hotel

On Behalf of Evans Dakota Hotels Ltd, in 2023, Lichfields secured planning permission for the change of use and conversion of a redundant landmark office building (70000 sq ft) to create a new 118 bed luxury boutique hotel on a prime site on Newcastle’s Quayside.

The scheme is a prime opportunity to drive forward the continued regeneration of the wider Newcastle Quayside area by delivering high-quality visitor accommodation within the setting of the iconic Tyne Gorge.

Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the development of the scheme, the design promotes sustainability through reusing the majority of the existing building fabric whilst modest extensions / changes ensure the building meets the high environmental standards required for its future use.

Lichfields led the Planning Project Management for the scheme, Heritage works (Statement of Significance and Heritage Impact Assessment), prepared and submitted the Planning Application for the project, which included the Planning and Economic Statement, Heritage Impact Assessment, Public Consultation and Statement of Community Involvement.

Our local knowledge and strong relationships with Newcastle City Council, alongside our multi-disciplined office providing planning, heritage and economics inputs were invaluable to the Client in the successful delivery of planning permission to meet tight delivery timescales. The scheme was approved (via committee process) as a major application inside 7 weeks. Lichfields has since been involved in further work for the project including gaining planning approval for a Non-Material Amendment to the scheme.