Get Carter car park demolition work begins
Dec 9 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
THE first phase in work clearing the way for the demolition of Gateshead’s controversial Get Carter car park is to begin today.
Demolition of Trinity Square Shopping Centre will open up possibilities for regeneration of the town centre.
Tesco’s development arm Spenhill is hoping to submit a planning application for a major redevelopment of the area next month.
The much-delayed demolition will mean that if a planning application for Trinity Square is approved by Gateshead Council, the revamp of the town centre can be started immediately.
Consultation with the local community has led to plans for a performance space and amphitheatre seating areas as well as 40 shops, a new Tesco, cafes, bars and restaurants, student accommodation, offices and a hotel. Work will begin on the Ellison Street end of the site, but the demolition of the car park is likely to be left until the end of the process.
An information leaflet on the demolition has been sent to more than 2,000 neighbours to the site.
Gateshead Council leader Coun Mick Henry said: “This is a major step in the redevelopment of Gateshead town centre.
“We are now very close to agreement on the overall design of the new development.
“We want to get the best possible town centre for the people of Gateshead and have made significant progress with Spenhill towards developing plans that will offer this.
“There have been no final decisions, but by beginning the demolition now we are ensuring that the site will be cleared for redevelopment when we are ready to move forward.
“Although demolition begins today, the last piece of Trinity Square to disappear will almost certainly be the car park.
“Because of its size and complexity, it will be much easier to demolish after the buildings around it have been cleared away.”
Michael Kissman, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, speaking on behalf of Spenhill, said: “Residents have been informing us that they are keen to see the regeneration of Gateshead town centre come forward as quickly as possible.
“This demolition work is an important first step and will bring us closer to a fantastic new town centre in the future.”
Plans to give the 8.6-acre site a major facelift were unveiled last month.
The Get Carter car park was originally due to be knocked down about a year ago, but the process has been repeatedly delayed.
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