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It looks like Whitley Bay’s lucky number was finally called when John Harrison, Mayor of North Tyneside Council finally launched the Regeneration plans for the town at the Carlton Bingo. The plans are to be submitted to planning this week and will go before councillors early in the New Year.
The £60 million application involves some 13 sites along the seafront and Spanish City Island.
The ambitious plans aim to create a Cultural Coast with the famous Spanish City’s Dome being turned into a 200 seated performance area complemented by workshops, galleries and a café. The Whitley Bay Playhouse which has served the town since the 1900’s is to undergo a multi million pound refurbishment. Whitley Bay Playhouse Trust is delighted as this will help attract the best performers in the country and put Whitley Bay back on the map for cultural attractions.
The other elements to the Regeneration include a refurbishment to Whitley Bay Leisure Pool, upgrade of Whitley Park to include an outdoor events area, a children’s play area, a skateboard park on the Panama Café site and environmental improvements to the links.
There will also be new housing with some 200 dwellings built on the former Marine Park School, Brook Street Gardens and Bournemouth Gardens car park.
There are also plans to build a Joint Service Centre which will incorporate council services, police station and library. This and the new “quality hotel proposed seem to be the only bone of contention with some residents, traders and hoteliers.
Private developers have recently had plans passed to demolish Sylvester Ballroom on the Esplanade and build some 16 apartments and 2 town houses.
The public money to finance this ambitious scheme is now in place and providing the private money promised is forthcoming we can all hope that Whitley Bay will have its reputation restored as “The Jewel in the Crown” of the North East Coast.
Posted: 18th November 2006
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