Newcastle former car museum could become housing in plans

The Newburn Motor Museum’s collection was previously something of a hidden gem, tucked away on a housing estate in the outer west of the city.

Over the years it showcased a variety of vintage vehicles dating from the 1920s to the 1990s, including Triumph, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar models.

But the small site in Townfield Gardens has been closed since the Covid pandemic hit and was also the scene of a fire in 2024, in which the flats above the museum were damaged.

Plans submitted to Newcastle City Council now confirm that the attraction is now poised to be converted into apartments.

A planning application to the local authority is asking for permission to turn the three-storey building into three flats.

The building dates back to 1924 and was originally built as a base for the Territorial Army, before being sold to Northumberland Boys Club.

It was vacated in 1977 and became a “utopia for scrap collectors and vandals” before being acquired in 1979 and turned into a museum for motor enthusiasts, according to the business’ website.

The plans lodged with the council would see the existing building converted to form two-bedroom apartments on the ground and first floors, with a three-bedroom flat on the second floor.

The attached warehouse buildings that housed the vintage car collection and a car workshop would be repurposed as storage units.

It is stated in the planning application that the conversion would “maintain the original character of the building”.

The application states: “The existing and neighbouring properties are mainly two storey dwelling houses, with a nursery school to the east. The three-storey dwelling, which was originally used as soldier’s barracks, was built in 1924.”

It adds: “The property fronts onto two warehouse-type buildings, built at a later unknown date, one was used as a car body shop, the other was used as a classic car motor museum. Both properties are now vacant, and it is the intention to apply for change of use of these buildings into domestic storage units, for household items only.”