Hospital bosses join planning delay row
Mar 20 2008 by Paul James, The Journal
COUNCIL chiefs in Newcastle last night launched a staunch defence of their regeneration of the city, after hospital bosses waded in to a row over the pace of new developments.
In a letter published in The Journal today, David Allison, operations and development director for Newcastle Hospitals, said work on a new hi-tech centre for research into old age could start now, if not for the council’s delay in approving a planning application.
His claims followed a letter from Newcastle’s Labour MP Jim Cousins that was published on Monday, accusing the Lib Dem controlled council of “missed opportunities” in developing projects in the Scotswood area, on the former Tyne Brewery site and in the Pilgrim Street area of the city centre.
Mr Allison, previously One NorthEast director of business and industry, said his NHS Foundation Trust is ready to start building the first stage of Science City on the Newcastle General Hospital site on Westgate Road. But he says the plans for the £100m Campus for Ageing and Vitality, which also include a Tesco store, have been held up by delays in gaining planning permission.
The application, part of the Science City project that will be centred on the brewery, was submitted in November.
Last night city council chiefs said that the “incomplete” planning application it had received included office space not previously discussed and also a supermarket the size of the one at Kingston Park, against which there is massive opposition.
They said a supermarket the size of the Sainsbury’s store in Heaton would be more appropriate for the demand in the area and would draw less hostility from residents and businesses in the area.
In his letter, Mr Allison said: “We are ready to start development of the campus. The ball is in the council’s court – let's hope someone in Newcastle will find the back of the net soon.”
But a council spokesman said: “This planning application was put to us by three parties – the NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University and Tesco, who wanted to build a 96,000 sq ft supermarket as part of this scheme. This size is akin to their Kingston Park superstore.
“The plan also included 200,000 sq ft of commercial office accommodation which hadn’t previously been discussed.
“This plan, as it stands, remains dependent on the Tesco development. As part of the required process Newcastle City Council has undertaken the requisite research. This research has indicated that such a massive outlet is not justified in that area in terms of either local demand or impact.
“Certainly, there remains strong opposition to the plan in the West Road area. On the other hand, as stated in our core strategy, a smaller supermarket-sized store of around 40,000 sq ft would be welcomed by Newcastle City Council and, we believe, local residents. Such a store would be comparable in size to Sainsbury’s in Heaton.
“Currently we are still in negotiation with the applicants. Their original submission, which was incomplete and remains so, was only made as recently as November.
“In the meantime, there can be no doubting our support for the ambition of Newcastle University and the Health Trust in building this campus – but this cannot be made at any cost.
“Newcastle City Council has not ‘dropped the ball’ – it is instead using it wisely and in the best interests of the majority.”
Letters: Pages 10&11
