Spanish City and seafront plans submitted

Plans for the regeneration of the Spanish City and seafront at Whitley Bay have been submitted to North Tyneside Council's planning department.

GBP60m plans for the regeneration of the Spanish City and seafront at Whitley Bay have been submitted to North Tyneside Council's planning department.

These are the most significant and one of the largest sets of planning applications ever submitted by the council.

The proposals are due to go before councillors for decision early in the New Year.

North Tyneside Council is jointly submitting the applications for 13 separate sites along the seafront with partners Places for People - one of the UK's largest housing developers.

Whitley Bay Playhouse Trust, One NorthEast and SENNTRI (South-east Northumberland and North Tyneside Regeneration initiative) are fully supporting the proposals.

At the heart of the scheme are proposals to create a new arts and cultural centre for the borough, combining a multi-million pound restoration of the listed Dome building alongside a dazzlingly refurbished Playhouse.

The aim is to deliver a top class arts hub with an art gallery space and performance areas for music, plays and dance.

Talks are taking place with Sage Gateshead and other organisations to bring the highest level of performance to the borough.

As part of the regeneration of the Dome there would be a cafe and music workshop and recording studio for young people, along with artists' and digital workshops on the ground floor.

On the first floor of the Dome a cafe/restaurant with stunning views along the coast would complement the 200-seat performance/conference space.

A crucial part of the cultural quarter would be Whitley Bay Playhouse.

North Tyneside Council is contributing GBP5.5m towards the ambitious plans for the theatre which include new front of house facilities, new auditorium seating and a new orchestra pit.

Other elements of the scheme include: A high quality modernised Whitley Bay leisure pool including a new entrance and reception area alongside soft play and catering.

It would have innovative "active play" equipment for children and a new flume.

There would also be a new changing village and a large well equipped gym, dance studio and refurbished health suite with direct access to the pool.

A new-look Whitley Park including an events area, and new children's play areas.

A quality hotel and restaurant.

Around 200 houses including an element of affordable housing.

This is approximately half the amount of housing originally envisaged for the scheme and is a result of consulting with local people on the proposals.

A skatepark on the site of the former Panama cafe.

A library/joint service centre to provide customer-focused services for residents.

Environmental improvements both on The Links and around the site.

Public consultation on the scheme will take place before Christmas.

The launch is being held at the Carlton Bingo club which has steadfastly stayed in business and undergone renovation within the Spanish City site.

The bingo club has pledged its continued operation on the site.

Elected Mayor John Harrison said the scheme has now reached a crucial and exciting stage.

"It has taken a long time to get to this point but we promised that we would deliver a heart to Spanish City which the town and indeed the borough could be proud of.

I believe that is what we have submitted to our planning department." "I am as keen as the people of Whitley Bay, the local businesses and the developers to get this scheme off the ground.

We are now at a vital stage and I hope that soon we can see the dream become a reality.

David Shaw, Director of Development and Procurement at Places for People said: "These plans represent a golden opportunity to redevelop the Spanish City area and will help to create a viable and sustainable neighbourhood with a mix of homes, including a proportion of affordable homes for local people.

"Working in partnership with the council and local community, the proposals will act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Whitley Bay and provide people with attractive housing that is build to a high environmental standard." Margaret Hall, chair of the Whitley Bay Playhouse Trust said: "The Playhouse has been providing entertainment to the people of North Tyneside and our visitors for many years.

This exciting investment means we will be part of a superb 21st century cultural venue which can attract the best performers in the country and give a real boost to the borough".

One NorthEast Regeneration Manager North, Neil Graham said: "The Agency is delighted to be able to support this exciting new development.

"The creation of this cultural quarter will support the continued economic regeneration of Whitley Bay - an area which has seen little investment over the past 20 years.".

Back to top