£60million thumbs up for Whitley Bay
North Tyneside Council today announces a timetable for action on the regeneration of the Spanish City area of Whitley Bay.
A masterplan for the £60 million redevelopment of the area is due to go out to public engagement early in the New Year.
New works have already been carried out and the latest phase -demolishing Duncan's amusements at Spanish City - will also take place early in January along with work to re-align roads around the site.
A planning application has been submitted for an outdoor events area and family friendly venue turning Whitley Park into a state of the art playground and increasing its size. Work will start once approval has been given.
Design work is now being completed and planning applications are due to be submitted in March and the council expects full building work to start on the site in July.
North Tyneside Council's cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Jim Allan said: "The council has a total determination to make the regeneration of Whitley Bay a reality and this timetable provides milestones for that to happen.
"Some demolition has already taken place but the community will start to see some real movement on the site in January and we intend to carry out full scale public engagement event in the town to ensure that residents have the chance to see what is proposed."
Anticipated outcomes for the regeneration scheme are:
- Up to £60m investment
- In the region of 300 homes
- Up to 100 new or safeguarded jobs
- Highway and environmental improvements
- New hotel and commercial accommodation
- Reconfiguration and modernisation of the existing leisure pool
- A new lease of life for the famous Dome which would become a cultural hub for arts, culture and family activities in North Tyneside with proposals for a flexible performance space.
- Flexible workshop spaces
- Offices for independent arts organisations linking in with a ?5.5m investment in the Whitley Bay Playhouse
- £5.5m for a new joint service centre
North Tyneside Council completed their evaluation of feedback from
residents following the most recent round of public consultation (held in
September 2004), regarding the Spanish City and Seafront Regeneration and
the results of the evaluation are summarised below:
Spanish City and Seafront Regeneration
Since the Area Forum in September, the Council has held a Public Information Day (September) and two informal sessions (October) to present the scheme and to obtain the views of residents. The scheme as currently proposed reflects the amendments that were announced at the January Area Forum following the earlier public consultation in November 2003.
The Consultation undertaken in association with the Information Day held in September has now been completed. The salient results are as follows:
Of the 359 questionnaires returned
- 62% of respondents on balance support the proposals for the regeneration of the Spanish City and Seafront as shown at the Information Day.
- 70% support the concept of having the library and leisure pool in the same complex
- 63% thought that restoring the Dome as proposed would help attract additional visitors
- 61% thought that the designs for the leisure pool and library were either very good, good or average.
- 59% were satisfied with the conceptual proposals for the leisure pool
- 47% thought that the provision of new facilities would encourage them to visit the pool and 65% considered that they would visit more than one facility as part of a single visit.
- 68% thought the proposed library facilities were an improvement on the existing facilities.
- 71% thought that the provision of an outdoor events area will help attract additional visitors
- 59% of respondents liked the suggested landscaping and public realm proposals for the promenade and surrounding area.
- 69% approved of the conceptual designs and arrangements for the children’s play areas.
- 68% agreed with the proposals to upgrade and enhance the footpath network on the Links
- 66% would like to see the Links continue to be used for events in the future.
- 53% thought that providing new housing would help support local shops and services and support the ongoing regeneration of Whitley Bay
On the basis of the above, there would appear to be a majority in favour of the proposals for both the wider scheme and the constituent components. Full regard has also been taken by the Council of all the additional comments and letters included with the returned questionnaires.
Following the recent consultation a decision will be made shortly whether to proceed to the next stage of the development which will include submitting the appropriate planning applications. Everyone should be aware that should any planning applications be submitted a statutory consultation period of 21 days will commence for each application which will enable residents to formally express their views on the scheme.
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North Tyneside Council held a further presentation of the plans at Marine Park School on Friday 22nd October 2004 from 4pm until 7pm. Staff from the Council's regeneration team were present to answer residents questions. See the Council's website on www.northtyneside.gov.uk/news.shtml for further information.
Spanish City consultation day - September 17th
The latest proposals for the regeneration of the Spanish City site that
were shown at St Paul's Church hall on September 17th were also on view at
Whitley Bay library until Monday 4th October. Copies of the feedback
questionnaire are also available from the library.
Members of North Tyneside's Cabinet, along with ward councillors and officers were on hand to explain the work in progress and listen to comments from the public.
The event ran from 12.30-8pm on Friday September 17 at St Paul's Church hall, in Park View, Whitley Bay.
The proposals include a new 25-metre leisure pool, enhancement of Whitley Park with new play facilities for children, new homes and a new library in the ground floor of the Dome complex.
And for the first time in a generation, improvements to the public arena at the front of the site would mean safe public access to the beach.
The views of residents from the information day will be considered when final proposals are brought back to North Tyneside Council at the end of the year.
North Tyneside Mayor Mrs Linda Arkley said: "I hope people will take the time to attend this information event and tell us what they think. There is a lot in these plans for residents and visitors and I am encouraged by the approach to public space and leisure developments. I look forward to talking to people and finding out the public view."
Two new key graphics from the display can be viewed by clicking on the 'Visuals' button above. Members of the public are invited to comment on the proposals using the questionnaire which can be downloaded from the 'Questionnaire' button below.
Regeneration Brief
In January 2002, North Tyneside Council with the agreement of the Whitley
Bay Regeneration Group, issued a development brief to form the basis for
a major regeneration strategy for the Spanish City Island and nearby Whitley
Bay Sea front areas. The main requirements of the brief were:
- The creation of a public, landscaped, pedestrian friendly events area
in front of the Dome by the diversion of the sea front highway through
the centre of the development site
- The redevelopment of the Dome and the Spanish City frontage principally
for leisure development
- Upgrading the condition of the Promenades and the Links
- To retain a swimming pool in Whitley Bay either by retaining/improving
the existing or building a new facility
- To retain library provision either by retaining/improving the existing
or building a new facility
- To upgrade Whitley Park either in its existing or in a new location
- To retain the Playhouse either by retaining/improving the existing
or building a new facility
- Subject to planning procedures, residential development to be permitted,
if appropriate, on the sites of the existing leisure pool, Bournemouth
Gardens car park and existing schools/indoor market/Playhouse sites
subject to the above criteria having been met
- Bournemouth Gardens car park to be made available for redevelopment
only if these car park spaces are replaced within the overall development
proposals in an appropriate location
- The construction of the replacement Marine Park and Coquet Park Schools
(construction almost complete) on the sites of the former Spanish City
Funfair and at the rear of the Leisure Pool, to be considered fixed
developments within the brief
The above elements of the brief are illustrated below in plan form.
 Places
for People have been selected as the preferred developer partner and
have been given 6 months to work up their proposals and enter into appropriate
legal arrangements. Their current proposals are presented on the following
plans but may be subject to change during the 6 months negotiation period.
Comments on their proposals are invited from the public to influence any
changes. To learn more about the Places for People group visit their website
www.placesforpeople.co.uk
Summary of Proposals by Places for People 1. General Details The developer's proposals contain the following main elements.
a) The enhancement of Spanish City Island as a leisure destination, including
refurbishment of the Dome and new buildings to relocate the library and
tourist information. It also includes a new leisure and swimming pool
facility which could be operated by the Council or by a not for profit
leisure Management Company. Provision of new restaurant and café
bar, residential development (or a hotel development) and associated public
and private parking. Major landscape improvements to the adjacent seafront
and Promenade areas, including a new events area.
b) Significant landscape improvements to Whitley Park and The Links.
c) Integration with the new PFI funded Marine Park and Coquet Park Schools
currently being undertaken on behalf of North Tyneside Council.
d) Residential development for sale on the residual development sites
created. This element is critical to the overall strategy by releasing
capital funding for the commercial, community and leisure proposals and
the landscape improvements. In overall terms the proposals provide:
- 403 new dwellings,
- 1,905 square metres new commercial leisure development,
- 3000 square metres public leisure pool/fitness centre,
- 1254 square metres new library floorspace at first floor,
- 2000 square metres refurbished Dome/access,
- 929 square metres new Bingo facility,
- 6.0 hectares improved open space, including new events area,
- new public toilets,
- 315 public car parking spaces.
2. Details by site 2.1 Spanish City Island
In accordance with the development brief, the developer identifies Spanish
City Island as the central part of the strategy, creating a focal point
for residents and visitors and enhancing the general area as a desirable
residential location. The developer has stated that the uses incorporated
into Spanish City Island are based upon their interpretation of the Civic
Trust Vision and Residents Consultation. They have now made provision
to build a new Bingo facility for Carlton. Their proposals for residential
use on this site could also be amended to accommodate a hotel if an operator
was found. The Spanish City Island would therefore incorporate the following
uses: i) 2 private sector restaurants/café bar ii) Refurbishment of the Dome to provide a central entrance point giving
access to ground and first floor uses. New public toilets. iii) New 1,254 square metre Council library on the first floor accessed
through the Dome by two lifts. An alternative arrangement for the library
to be located on the ground floor is possible . iv) Private sector ground floor café, small retail unit and Council
tourist information point in the Dome entrance area. v) 3 new private sector retail units. vi) 205 space single deck car park at rear of Dome providing public car
parking and 46 for private residential car parking on upper deck. vii) 3,000 square metre public swimming pool, health and fitness centre
accessed from the Dome. The developer proposes a number of options for
the future management of the pool, etc. but has presumed these will now
be managed by the Council. viii) Private residential development for sale comprising 27 units at
1st floor above ground floor restaurant and retail units (an alternative
proposal for a small hotel can be accommodated subject to an appropriate
operator being found). ix) Management Company to ensure a high quality management, maintenance
and repair regime. 2.2 Leisure Pool Site
Private residential development for sale comprising 74 units and private
car parking spaces. 2.3 The Playhouse Site/Indoor Market Site
Playhouse remains in situ, with adjacent 58 space car parking site. 2.4 Bournemouth Gardens Site
Private residential development for sale comprising 104 units and private
car parking spaces. 2.5 Brook Street Gardens Site
Private residential development for sale comprising 24 units. This incorporates
the site of the Avenue Public House and 1 Brook Street. 2.6 Marine Park/Coquet Park School Site, Indoor Market and Playhouse
Private sector residential development for sale comprising 96 units. 2.7 Whitley Park
Remodelling and refurbishment of existing public park, with an area for
childrens play and skating. Private sector residential development for
sale comprising 78 units.
2.8 The Links
Upgrading of the Southern promenade including a new ramp, new ramped access
to Central Promenade and enclosing the vacant units to provide a seafront
wall for artwork and sculptures, re-defining and improvements of footpaths
on The Links, regrading certain areas to form grassed mounds, provision
of public art and creation of a piazza outside the Dome for outside events,
Redesign of Panama Gardens including lighting and seating and grassed
mounds to provide an outdoor public events area, remodelling of Dukes
Walk car park to increase its size. 3.0 Council Works In addition to the developer's proposals, the Council will undertake
the following works:
- New Sea Front link road
- New Marine Park School
- New Coquet Park First School
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