Protesters air their views on riverside
Oct 9 2007 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
A TEN-year wrangle over a site which commands celebrated views of the River Tyne is set to reach crunch point this week.
A total of 1,300 people have signed a petition protesting at plans by developers Wimpey for the site at the mouth of the Ouseburn in Newcastle, opposite the Free Trade pub and at the eastern end of the East Quayside.
More than 50 letters of objection have also been lodged.
One of the main concerns is that sweeping upriver views of the Tyne, which protesters say feature in many tourist guides and were shown in a recent TV programme on Britain’s favourite views, will be lost.
Wimpey’s bid, for a 13-storey building of 89 flats and a cafe, a five to seven storey office development, a restaurant and public square, will go before city councillors on Friday. They are being asked to back the scheme.
The Ouseburn Trust claims the proposal does not answer the challenge posed by the site.
The trust says: “This is a prime site coming at the last stages of the Quayside development with a great opportunity to bring innovative and exciting design to the Tyne Gorge, indeed to take your breath away.”
On the flats element, it says: “Were the flats to be sold for buy to let purposes or for corporate or holiday lettings this would add to the lack of a sense of commitment to the area that has already been seen amongst residents in nearby schemes with the resulting soullessness that is emerging as a feature of the area.”
The trust also says: “There is considerable community interest in retaining views from the Free Trade and from other nearby spots, and the view from the Free Trade generates huge interest in tourist itineraries.
“It is one of the most stunning views of the river in the city. It is visited by large numbers of people from across the region and the country in general and is mentioned in a number of tourist publications.
“This is an iconic view the loss of which would affect the local and regional community.”
Another issue is the potential impact on the other sites awaiting development in the valley.
Coun Nick Kemp, chairman of the Byker Ward committee, has objected on the grounds that the development would be a major barrier between the residents of Byker and the riverside.
He also claims the area already suffers from a huge amount of vacant apartments, and there is a major fear that the proposed flats could be let out like a hotel.
English Heritage say that the site is highly significant within the Tyne Gorge and that the proposed buildings will add to the experience of Newcastle’s Quayside and Tyne Gorge as a whole.
City council planners say the site is currently unsightly and the development would be a beneficial positive contribution to the area, with the site demanding a development of presence and stature.
“The Free Trade is a renowned pub which given its location and position and given the currently undeveloped nature of the application site enjoys fine views of the Tyne and its bridges.” But they add the proposal is acceptable in relation to the council’s tall buildings criteria and does not dominate key landmark buildings.
The report to Friday’s meeting concludes: “This has been a site with a longer and more complex planning history than most. There has been an understandable high level of public interest in proposals for the site dating back the best part of a decade.
“Given the prominence and sensitivity of the site and the considerable public interest in it, it is probably impossible to identify a scheme which would satisfy everyone’s aspirations. The applicants and their architects deserve credit for learning from the previous unsatisfactory proposals and seeking to design a scheme which sits comfortably with its surroundings.
“The current proposal represents a well composed and executed design which will do justice to its unique and remarkable setting,” adds the report.
