Brothers who take different views on seafront

Jan 3 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

AN amusement park feud has broken out between two brothers as they bid to out do each other with plans to redevelop their seafront businesses.

Michael and Joseph Sheeran are both hoping to transform South Shields by building multi-million pound indoor amusement parks.

But family ties may be about to hinder rather than help the brothers after Joseph lodged a formal objection to Michael’s plans in a bid to pave the way for his own redevelopment.

Michael Sheeran wants to build an indoor amusement centre on Sea Road complete with a family entertainment centre, a 12 seat interactive cinema, a climbing wall, and go-karting track on the site of a smaller open air amusement park.

His brother Joseph was hoping councillors on South Tyneside’s planning committee would look favourably on his plans to redevelop his amusement arcade located next door.

But this bid has since been withdrawn, leaving just Michael’s vision for the sea front to push ahead, provided his brother’s objection does not deter councillors.

Last night Michael Sheeran told The Journal he did not want to discuss the family feud which could see his £2m plans scrapped and clear the way for Joseph to resubmit his plans.

He said: “There is an objection from my brother, who has his own plans for the site and wants to see his business redeveloped instead.

“I don’t want to go into it but our plans will do a lot for the area. We hope to create around 30 full-time jobs and more part-time positions. Turning the amusement park into an indoor facility will mean we have a year-round business that is not vulnerable to the weather.”

Mr Sheeran said the indoor facility was essential to meet the “changing holiday market”.

He added: “I think with the credit crunch and the weakness in the pound abroad more people are looking for a return to British seaside holiday trips.

“These plans will make us one of the biggest amusement locations between Edinburgh and Scarborough at a time when families are looking to have a holiday without leaving the country.”

Michael’s plans face opposition from many nearby traders who are worried a council decision to grant planning approval will eventually see trade diverted from their businesses.

Letters sent to council planning officers have raised fears that the Sheeran plan would “completely dominate” Sea Road in exchange for a development which objectors say “would offer nothing new” to the existing amusement park site.

Concerns have also been voiced over the removal of the rollercoaster, which rival businesses say makes a much bigger impression on passing customers than an indoor facility would have.

Plans submitted to the council would see a two-storey building constructed around the existing go-karting track.

Mr Sheeran wants to build a party area, gift shop and children’s corner at ground level along with a fish restaurant, bar, takeway food shop and ice cream kiosk.

Council officers have been told by other businesses not to grant the request to open a new licensed bar in the park as it would make it harder to create a family atmosphere. South Tyneside Council’s planning committee will consider the proposals on January 5.

Joseph Sheeran was not available for comment yesterday.