Tyneside Committee Report
by Rosemary Dodd
The main concerns this quarter have been Newcastle based.
The ‘Hotel Monument’ proposal has been around for a year, but has reappeared as a definite application. It is a scheme by a Japanese artist, Tatzu Oozu, to build a temporary hotel room at the top of Greys Monument. It would involve shrouding the column in scaffolding, protecting the monument, tight security and disruption around the area during the installation and then its removal six weeks later. The proposed cost is said to be £500,000, but some of this money was spent last year so it may well exceed that sum. The Newcastle Gateshead Initiative says that it will bring tourists to the area and generate over £3 million to the economy of the region. People are very divided about it; “it is an insult to Earl Grey”, “the money should be spent on more permanent art around the area”, “a great idea, we will be going up”: whatever happens it will be controversial! *Planning permission has been refused.
The Odeon Cinema is looking forlorn and the Committee is still waiting to hear from English Heritage about its future. There has been an application by an advertising company to place an externally illuminated advertising hoarding measuring 22.5m x 12.5m on scaffolding which is being put up on the building. The Committee is opposed to this application. It is opposite the Tyneside cinema, a listed building, which is in a conservation area. Pilgrim Street is one of the major ancient routes through the City and it would deflect from other surrounding buildings. Do let us have your views!
The Committee is keeping a watching brief on La Sagesse, the former independent school in Jesmond, which has been purchased by Shepherd Offshore. Locally there is concern about how the site will be developed. It has ten acres of grounds and a listed building.
The proposed ticket barriers at Newcastle Central Station have been discussed and the Committee has objected to the application on various grounds.
On North Tyneside there is to be a public inquiry concerning the proposed extension to the Seghill Landfill site by SITA. Locally there is strong opposition to the proposal; residents have lived with the problems of the current site for years and were looking forward to its closure.
City and County
May 2009
