EGGS-TRA TIME
Discovery of starling’ s nest halts the demolition of Sea burn Centre–
Demolition of the Seaburn Centre has been put on hold after an ecology survey found starlings.
Builders started work on the derelict Whitburn Road centre in November, which is due to be converted into a hub for seafront retail and leisure attractions.
In a statement, a council spokesman revealed: “It is standard practice for the council to obtain professional advice from an ecologist for any proposed demolition works.
“Aspartofthisprocessfor the Seaburn Leisure Centre, it was advised that an ecology survey should be carried out to see if there were any breeding birds and nests that could be disturbed, damaged or destroyed by the works.
“The survey identified an active starling nest on the side of the building and demolition works were therefore postponed.
“The council is continuing to monitor the situation.”
Last week, temporary planning permission was granted for pop-up attractions, including cinemas and markets, to be housed in ‘bespoke shipping containers’ on the site.
The application said the scheme would “enhance the cultural/tourist offer” at the Seaburn, with activities and other attractions including markets, gardens and play spaces.
However some members of Sunderland City Council’s Development Control (North Sunderland) SubCommittee were sceptical about the idea, particularly over how it will leave the area looking and a lack of detail about this in the application.
A council planning officer sought to assure councillors that similar storage units are used to good effect in towns and cities throughout the UK.
“The survey identified an active starling nest on the building” COUNCIL