Mayor puts Tynemouth ice rink plan in deep freeze

Mar 12 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

THE Mayor of North Tyneside last night said he may personally block plans to build the country’s largest outdoor ice skating rink.

Businessman Ron Scott has spent the last three months trying to win public backing to build the rink on the seafront in Tynemouth.

And last month the ambitious proposals were given the go-ahead by planners.

But now the application could be derailed after Mayor John Harrison ordered officers to look again at what effect the venture could have on local businesses.

If he is dissatisfied, he has the power to dismiss the application.

In a letter sent to The Journal, Deputy Mayor Jim Allan wrote: “This application has set a dangerous precedent, converting public land into a private venture.

“The mayor has already decided that this application was ‘hasty and dangerous’ and will not give consent to the change of use of this much loved public park.

“Officers have been instructed to provide the mayor with a detailed economic and community impact assessment and the mayor will not give any consent to this application until he is satisfied 100% that the decision would benefit everyone.

“The mayor also has concerns about the impact on Whitley Bay ice rink which would certainly be affected adversely by the outdoor rink. In conclusion, the mayor has vetoed the decision to use public space for private profit and under his administration there will be no charge for public parks.”

Mr Scott, 56, said last night he was lobbying public opinion and had already collected more than 2,000 signatures backing the application.

He also accused Mr Harrison of playing “political games” in delaying the decision-making process.