Canopies may be only change at Tynemouth Station

Jan 28 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A SUPERMARKET at the centre of a scheme to fully restore an historic railway station may not now go ahead.

A bid by Bedlington-based Station Developments for Tynemouth Station includes the restoration of ornate iron canopies, the supermarket and associated car parking, public library with heritage centre, photographic society, community meeting rooms, public toilets and landscaping.

The grade II-star listed station, built in 1882, is described as one of the finest and most important examples of a medium-sized Victorian station in Britain.

But it is in the highest category of English Heritage’s At Risk register. Next week North Tyneside councillors will decide on two applications.

One is for listed building consent and planners recommend approval.

If this is agreed it would allow the restoration of the station’s canopies, for which a £2m Government Sea Change grant and £1m award from English Heritage has been made.

But councillors are being advised to reject the second full planning approval bid, which would mean the small to medium sized supermarket and library/heritage centre would be thrown out. Station Developments say the supermarket is needed to generate income to maintain the extensive canopies.