A favourite view of Tyne is saved

Nov 3 2007 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

ONE of the most popular views of the River Tyne will be preserved after city planners threw out proposals to build flats near the mouth of the Ouseburn.

A 10-year planning battle ended yesterday as developer George Wimpey was denied permission for an office block and flats on the East Quayside.

More than 1,300 people signed a petition calling on Newcastle City Council to deny planning permission, and at a packed Civic Centre meeting yesterday councillors did just that.

George Wimpey had wanted permission for a 13-storey building of 89 flats and a cafe, a five- to seven-storey office development, a restaurant and a public square.

The buildings would have destroyed historic views of the Tyne as seen from the Free Trade Inn on St Lawrence Road.

Pub landlord Matt Nixon said: “It’s often regarded as the best view on the Tyne, and rightly so. If Wimpey had been allowed to build the flats there, it would have ruined that view.

“We’re a good pub, but without the incredible view there would have been little separating us from other pubs, because people come from all over to see this view here.” Peter Kay, general manager at The Ouseburn Trust, said the decision was in everyone’s interest.

He said: “People spend as much time looking out as they do looking around the pub. Any developer has to understand that people are used to seeing this fabulous view and are therefore very protective about this.

“A building there would create the feeling that we have had something taken away from us.

“Wimpey have a difficult role in all this. Any development will involve moving the pumping station and that is going to cost money. So of course they need to have a development that will bring in sufficient funds to make this worthwhile.

“I think they need to remember though that in a place like this people do not just want any old development, it has to be something special.”

Byker councillor Nick Kemp said: “It was a bland, unattractive design that would have brought with it serious traffic congestion and parking problems. I think there is a case for some development here, but we only have to look across the river to see the standard that has already been set, and this did not meet that.

“I know there is an argument to say this part of the Quayside needs a sort of full stop development, but this was not the ideal design.

“What this side of the river needs is another iconic building, not the uninspiring mainly residential building they proposed.”

Ward councillor Stephen Psallidas said: “The new development was a substantial improvement on the previous design, the infamous Wimpey Tower.

“The company did make more of an effort to consult and to take on board residents’ concerns. But they cannot get over the issue of the local parking demand in this constricted area.”

Nobody was available for comment at George Wimpey last night.