Hotel checks in with flats plan

Jun 3 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A SEAFRONT hotel is set to be converted into flats. Gill Properties, based at the Park Hotel in Tynemouth, wants to turn the Esplanade Hotel in Whitley Bay into 14 apartments.

The hotel is on a prominent site where the Esplanade meets the Promenade in Whitley Bay.

The proposal, which North Tyneside councillors are being asked by planners to support today, would also involve the demolition of the nearby Beach Bar night club. Councillors are also being advised to back the demolition of a North Tyneside village’s former people’s centre, which is on a council “local” list of buildings of special architectural and historic interest.

The Dudley centre site would be cleared to make way for 20 homes.

Council local lists, while highlighting buildings which stand out in their localities, do not give the level of protection enjoyed by nationally-listed buildings.

A new resource centre, which will be the focal point for community activities, has been built near the former people’s centre.

Meanwhile, a Tynemouth church hall is at the centre of a local stir over plans to extend its opening times by two hours.

The Parish Church Council at Holy Saviours off the Broadway in Tynemouth has applied to extend the opening times for the hall in the church grounds from 9pm to 11pm.

Seven letters of objection have been received from neighbouring homes which complain of noise from functions and parking problems. But letters of support say the hall is popular and well used, and if the full potential of the hall is to be realised then the hours should be extended .

Planners are recommending that approval be given.

Extra Rooms

SUNDERLAND councillors are being asked today (Tuesday) to support the building by Tavistock Leisure of a 32-bedroom "aparthotel" to the rear of the seafront Roker Hotel .

Planners say that the Roker Hotel, which has recently joined the Best Western group, has 57 rooms but is regularly booked to capacity and has to turn people away.

The aparthotel, targeted at families or other guests who need extra space, is described as an emerging form of tourist accommodation in the existing tourism areas of Roker and Seaburn.