Appeal decision offers fresh opportunity

31-JUL-09

 

North Tyneside Mayor Linda Arkley has welcomed the Planning Inspectorate's support of the council's decision to refuse planning permission for Whitley Bay Joint Service Centre.

Mrs Arkley said: "This decision not only recognises the concerns of local residents and also the ward councillors.

"It provides us with the opportunity to take a fresh look at Whitley Bay, including new sites for the joint service centre."

The Mayor has promised that the regeneration of the town will meet the needs of the residents and businesses, while ensuring that the local community will be involved in the development of future proposals.

This week the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal against the council's decision to refuse planning permission for Whitley Bay Joint Service Centre.

In his dismissal of the appeal, Planning Inspector Anthony Lyman concluded that the benefits of the proposal would be outweighed by "significant failings".

The Planning Inspector considered three main issues relating to the appeal: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area; the effect of the development on highway safety; the effect of the proposed development on the enjoyment of users of Whitley Park.

In relation to each in turn, he stated that "the proposal would be inappropriate in its context and would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the area"; "the high demand for on-street parking would be detrimental to highway safety in local residential streets"; and that "the proposed building, by reason of overshadowing, would erode the recreational function of the play area and that the mass and proximity of the building would not maintain or enhance the character of the open space."

Note to editors:

Newcastle and North Tyneside Local Improvement Finance Trust (known as NNT LiftCo) lodged the appeal after North Tyneside Council's planning committee refused planning permission on 17 December 2008.

The original application was for a three-storey joint service centre on the site of the existing Whitley Bay library site to include a library, GP practices, tourist information centre and community activity space.

NNT LiftCo is a joint venture involving the following partners:

Robertson Capital Projects - a Scottish-based private sector development company within the Robertson Group - which owns 60 per cent of shares and has three representatives on the board of directors

Partnerships for Health - a company jointly owned by the Department of Health and Partnerships UK - which owns 20 per cent of shares and has one representative on the board of directors

Four local public sector partners - Newcastle Primary Care Trust, North Tyneside Primary Care Trust, Newcastle City Council and North Tyneside Council - which, between them, own the remaining 20 per cent of shares and have one representative on the board of directors.

The board of directors has ultimate responsibility for the direction and control of the company. Day-to-day operations are managed by the chief executive and locally appointed staff.

In 2004, NNT LIFTCo entered into a long-term agreement with the primary care trusts and local authorities in Newcastle and North Tyneside to develop various premises over a period of twenty years.

ENDS

Issued by: Duncan Bennett