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Modified plans for the Stephenson Quarter development in the heart of Newcastle have been recommended for approval ahead of a council meeting later this week. A mail sorting site for the Royal Mail in the original proposal has been removed while the amount of office space has increased.

The £200m project by developer Silverlink secured initial approval in 2008. That permission was for two hotels, office accommodation, a 326-berth multi-storey car park, a relocated Royal Mail sorting depot, 155 flats, an art gallery and retail and leisure units.

An amended application has been filed ditching the sorting facility, adding more office and car parking space and seeking permission for a change of building materials from natural sandstone to antique red brick.

Newcastle councillors will scrutinise a report on Friday (24 February) which recommends the changes, described as "positive", receive approval.

There are certain conditions attached, including infrastructure requirements and a £258,340 contribution to a council fund.

The original plans for the ten-acre site near the city’s Central Station included 40,000 sq ft of office space. Following the proposed changes that will increase by 3,600 sq ft while there will also be a slight increase in the amount of parking spaces within the mixed-use scheme.

The change in building material from natural sandstone to antique red brick has been welcomed by both the Newcastle Conservation Advisory Panel and English Heritage. The organisations said red brick was more appropriate given the industrial heritage of the site and because it is in keeping with a number of the historic buildings within the area.

The project, which will include a 254-bed four-star Crowne Plaza hotel, is set among several listed buildings and is located entirely within Newcastle’s central conservation area.

The location once housed the engineering works of famous railway pioneer George Stephenson and is believed to be where his celebrated Rocket engine was developed.