Have your say on Area Action Plans

Have your say on Area Action Plans

31-JAN-12

Issued by: Nicola Sleightholme

Residents will be asked to give their views on plans to improve the borough's town centres, riverside and coastal areas, next month.

A six week consultation will begin on Monday 13 February around three Area Action Plans - which will focus on development proposals for Wallsend, North Shields and the coast.

Area Action Plans provide a planning framework for areas where significant change or conservation is needed or expected.

Elected Mayor for North Tyneside, Mrs Linda Arkley said: "These Area Action Plans form a vital part of our ongoing drive to deliver sustainable growth in North Tyneside - through the regeneration of our town centres, development of sites for housing and employment and improvement of our wonderful coastline.

"The forthcoming consultation will provide an important opportunity for residents and businesses with a vested interest in the future of North Tyneside, to give their views."

The Wallsend Area Action Plan includes Wallsend town centre and Willington Quay, plus the riverside area from the administrative boundary with Newcastle in the west to the Tyne Tunnel in the east.

The North Shields Area Action Plan includes North Shields town centre and the Fish Quay and New Quay area and extends as far west as Royal Quays outlet shopping centre and as far east as Tanners Bank. Specific proposals for the Fish Quay will be provided by the Neighbourhood Plan that is currently being prepared by the community.

The Coastal Area Action Plan extends along the full length of North Tyneside's coast including Tynemouth in the south, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay and as far north as St Mary's Island. The boundary extends inland to take in Tynemouth Village and Whitley Bay town centre.

The Area Action Plans will include proposals for new housing development, support investment in shopping and retail within the town centres, encourage investment in industry and employment and put forward suggestions to improve the appearance of public areas.

Residents will be given the chance to say whether they agree with the plans, and get the opportunity to put forward their own suggestions.

From Monday 13 February, the Area Action Plans will be available to view on the Planning Consultation Portal on North Tyneside Council's website, where people can also leave comments. There will be a link directly from the homepage to the Planning Consultation Portal.

A programme of drop-in sessions will be held across the borough from Saturday 3 March until Thursday 22 March, details of which will be available shortly.

Information on the three Area Action Plans, plus a feedback form, will be carried in the next edition of Widening Horizons magazine - which will be delivered to the borough's 93,000 households from Monday 12 March.

The council's planning team will also be contacting around 5,000 residents and business directly, about the plans.

The consultation period will end on Monday 26 March 2012, and once views have been taken into account, the Area Action Plans will be adopted in draft by a meeting of full Council, prior to submission to the Secretary of State for approval.

Notes to editors:

The Wallsend Area Action Plan includes proposals to:

• Identify a number of housing sites to deliver up to 500 homes
• Consolidate the retail area of Wallsend Town Centre with investment in the core of the town, including support for the redevelopment of The Forum Shopping Centre and pedestrian environment of High Street West
• Identify residential streets in need of improved management and investment
• Undertake a scheme to improve the value and attractiveness of Wallsend Burn as a green link around Wallsend
• Support the role of Wallsend riverside in manufacturing associated with the Low Carbon Enterprise Zone and other renewable energy, marine and off-shore manufacturing and technology
• At Willington Quay, support development that enables the provision of new health facilities, and support enhancement and revitalisation of the industrial uses on the riverside, with the objective of also improving residential amenity at Willington Quay.

The North Shields Area Action Plan includes proposals to:

• Identify a number of housing sites to deliver around 500 homes
• Identify sites that can be redeveloped to provide both housing employment
• Support redevelopment of The Beacon Centre shopping centre to attract and retain more visitors to the town.
• Support heritage-led regeneration of Northumberland Square
• Support investment in North Shields Metro Station as a key entry point into the town centre
• Encourage regeneration at the Fish Quay to create a vibrant mixed community and undertake a scheme to improve management of the Fish Quay banksides to reflect their biodiversity value and maintaining views across the river and historic Fish Quay, providing context for the Fish Quay Neighbourhood Plan.

The Coastal Area Action Plan includes proposals to:

• Identify a number of housing sites to deliver around 200 homes
• Work with partners to encourage tourism and other economic development that safeguards the natural and historic environment at the coast
• Restore Spanish City with facilities for everyone to enjoy that extends the holiday season
• Improve the heritage and cultural assets in line with the information and guidance of Conservation Area Character Appraisals
• Raise the overall appearance of the coast with a coordinated strategy on good quality street furniture, e.g. bins and seats, and street surfacing
• Promote a vibrant and lively Whitley Bay town centre - with an appropriate mixture of shopping and other uses to support local businesses
• Improve access for all visitors - encouraging cycling and use of public transport
• Protect and enhance biodiversity, safeguarding wildlife links at Brierdene. Identify key open and green links along the coast.

Next month's consultation follows publication and consultation on an Issues and Options document for each of the three Area Action Plans, which tool place during 2008 and 2009.