University halls destroyed in fire to be restored

A university halls of residence severely damaged in a fire is to be restored.

Newcastle University's Henderson Old Hall in High Heaton was devastated by the blaze in June 2023, leaving it without a roof.

Former students, councillors and heritage experts had called for the Grade II listed site to be restored to its former glory, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The university confirmed it was "in discussions about the future of the building and how it might be brought back into use".

The first step... is to repair and reinstate the external fabric of the building damaged by the fire, making it permanently weather and watertight," the university said.

"We are currently in the process of tendering for a design team and contractor to undertake the works to the building, including replacing the roof and windows."

Two teenage boys admitted setting the fire which caused about £15m of damage.

They were handed six-month and four-month detention and training orders at the Youth Court in North Tyneside in February 2024.

While the university has confirmed it will repair the building, it is still unclear what it will be used for.

Land next to Henderson Hall has been designated as a potential site for 100 homes by Newcastle City Council.

Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone, whose Manor Park ward includes the former halls of residence, said he would like to see the building preserved.

"Obviously there are also long-term questions about the land and what will be done with it, so we will have to wait and see what becomes of that," he said.

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