31 Newcastle Drive

One of a pair of large houses c1858-59, possibly by architect T.C. Hine.Now converted into flats. Building abuts Newcastle Drive at top of steeply sloping site. Lower part of original garden separately developed c1970-75 to create single dwelling adjacent to Tennis Drive. Two storeys plus basement and attics. Red brick with stone dressings. Hipped slate roof with prominent dormer windows. Original wing projecting from side of house and possibly partly glazed, now removed and replaced with large extension, (late 20c), used as garage. Prominent, full height, rectangular window bays on each facade. Dormer windows above at attic level with segmental pediments. One bay overlooking garden has canted window bay projecting at lower level. Parts of brickwork facades have been rendered and painted. Extensive use of stonework particularly to bays and dormers with moulded door and window surrounds, panels, cornices, piers, segmental pediments and parapet copings. Also, cornice at parapet level, now weathered in parts. Stonework now painted. Hipped slate roof with clay ridges and lead hip and valley flashings to dormers. Red brick chimney stacks with stone caps and string courses. A number of original buff ‘crown’ chimney pots have been replaced. Original rainwater fittings replaced and further pipework added. Originally mainly glazing bar sash windows, a number of which have been altered or replaced plus new openings formed. Original boundary wall to Newcastle Drive with single gated opening to stepped side yard area replaced by later extension now accommodating garage. Only part of original garden area survives. Lower garden area, originally used communally with No.31, and original gated boundary wall to Tennis Drive now lost to subsequent residential development.