Foreshore planning is at a critical stage
Feb 26 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
THREE years of planning to transform the seafront at South Shields reaches a critical point today.
A series of major schemes for the foreshore, described as the “jewel in the crown” of South Tyneside, will be examined by councillors who will also question a range of other parties with interests in the area, from businesses to residents’ and heritage groups.
“The Great North Run ends at the foreshore and gives South Tyneside global publicity, and the area already attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors,” Iain Malcolm, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council and chairman of the foreshore working party, said yesterday.
“But we want to improve its commercial vitality and develop its tourism potential even more. This is a key time for the foreshore.
“We have spent three years talking about what we want to see, looking at all sorts of plans, where finance is going to come from, and consulting with the public. We now have our ideas in place, we know what we want to see and it is about getting on with the job.”
Going before members of the regeneration and resources scrutiny committee, which will prepare a full report for the council’s Cabinet, are plans that include:
A four-star, 104-bedroom £15m hotel with regional conference facilities for 1,400 at the former sports ground at Gypsies Green.
A planning application from South Tyneside’s Tavistock Leisure is expected in May, with the hotel creating 140 full and part-time jobs, rising to 200.
Sandhaven and Lizard Lane caravan sites. Both have been council-run but Sandhaven is now leased by Northumbria Leisure which has plans to completely modernise the site into a five-star facility. Talks are ongoing over a developer for Lizard Lane.
Bents Park, which is the venue for the Mouth of the Tyne and Cookson festivals. There are plans to build a permanent stage and better facilities to attract bigger acts and hold more events, such as a Guy Fawkes fireworks’ spectacular.
South Marine Park: Work has started on the £5m task of returning the park to its Victorian best.
Arbeia Roman fort. Hopes of building a visitor centre near the fort on the Lawe Top were dropped earlier this month after opposition from local residents.
“I think it was a tremendous shame, but we do listen to residents. Consultants have been asked to consider alternative sites,” said Coun Malcolm.
Sea defences: A survey has shown that £2m repairs or rebuilding is needed of the sea wall at Little Haven.
In tomorrow’s The Journal: One man’s devotion to a seafront park.
