NINETEEN houses could be built on the site of a derelict pub that residents say has become a magnet for nuisance behaviour.

Admiral Taverns wants to knock down the Staffordshire Knot in Chesterton and build the two and three-bedroom homes.

The Loomer Road pub has stood empty for two years and, during that time, has become a target for vandalism and a magnet anti-social behaviour.

But Admiral Taverns says the housing scheme will alleviate the problems and improve the appearance of the site.

Residents living nearby welcomed news, although some were concerned about the size of the proposed houses.

Arthur Glynn, aged 63, of Forum Road, said: "We've been trying to find out what's happening with the pub for a while, but the council never tells us anything.

"I wouldn't mind some old people's bungalows or a shop there, but I don't want big houses and I definitely don't want there to be access from our street.

"I used to go to the Staffordshire Knot and it was a good estate pub. But since it's closed down you get loads of kids getting up on to the roof taking the tiles."

Janice Smallwood, aged 60, also of Forum Road, said: "We've had lots of trouble with the pub since it closed down.

"The kids leave behind bottles, beer cans and condoms, and they're always getting on to the roof.

"I don't mind them building homes. It will just mean having some new neighbours. But I don't want big three-storey houses.

"When they built the big New Look warehouse (in nearby Lymedale Business Park) it affected our television signal."

Mrs Smallwood also called on Admiral Taverns to repair a fence between her property and the pub, which had fallen into disrepair.

Plans lodged with Newcastle Borough Council show that access to the new housing scheme would be in Loomer Road and Hadrian Way.

The development would include seven two-bedroom properties and 12 three-bedroom properties.

Four of them would be designated as affordable housing.

Admiral Taverns says it has not been able to find a new licensee or buyer for the site since the Staffordshire Knot closed in 2008.

And the company told how the pub had been struggling for some years due to the poor trading conditions and the impact of the smoking ban.

It said the building would now need significant investment to bring the premises back into use.

Spokesman John Cameron added: "We hope that the application will receive support locally.

"At present, the pub is semi-derelict and regularly vandalised.

"The proposed scheme will provide investment and employment, as well as low-cost housing for the local community."

Planning officers at the borough council will consider the application over the coming weeks.