Plan for Wideopen eyesore ‘a slap in the face’
Jan 17 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
A FRESH application to demolish an arson-hit school house in North Tyneside is like “a slap in the face” for the local community, it has been claimed.
CSM Architects, acting on behalf of property developer William Collard, want to redevelop the gutted property on Sandy Lane, Wideopen, into a house and garage.
An application to knock down the attractive 1850s property to make way for a residential care home was rejected in December 2006 though there were fears that demolition would go ahead anyway.
The building was saved at the 11th hour when the land around the Sacred Heart Church and school house was given conservation area status.
Since then, three unexplained arson attacks have devastated the property and what was a campaign to preserve a historic building has now turned into an effort to see it restored in the most fitting way.
Coun Muriel Green, who represents the Weetslade Ward, said: “I think there’s no doubt that the site needs to be redeveloped as quickly as possible.
“It’s an eyesore at the entrance to our village. I think it’s very important that what’s built there is right for the area.
“In my view the present application is too large for the site. There are also plans to cut down seven trees which have tree preservation orders on, which I’m against.
“The council put a conservation order on the whole of the site, including the church, but the unexplained fires have devastated the site completely.
“It’s been a dreadful experience for the local residents, seeing a building they treasured destroyed like that.
“It’s been completely gutted and apparently it’s beyond saving.”
Because of the area’s conservation area status, Mr Collard is applying to the council for conservation area consent as well as the usual planning permission.
Jim Allan, heritage champion for North Tyneside Council, said making no attempt to recreate the historic building would be a “slap in the face” for the public.
“Obviously there’s a lot of damage been done to a building which had a strong community presence.
“If the planning application means that they’re going to take away the style of the building then they’re not even acknowledging what people feel about it.”
A spokeswoman for North Tyneside Council said: “Two applications in relation to this site will be before the Planning Committee on January 27, when any representations by the public will be considered.”
Meanwhile, Northumbria Police confirmed there had been three fires at the school house over the last two years, causing the roof to cave in and badly damaging the structure.
CSM Architects did not respond to The Journal’s request for a comment.
