New seafront plans needed

The news that the Vaux site is being resurrected has gone down with the public like a lead balloon.

The next site for development is the seafront.

Seaburn has already been described as the new Vaux site wherein development has been put on hold indefinitely. Instead we have been lumbered with a ‘meanwhile’ substitute wherein sea containers and kiosks will substitute for the non-appearance of permanent and meaningful developments.

As councillor for Fulwell ward for 22 years, I have collected petitions signed by visitors and residents to the seafront requesting that the development should include a swimming pool and an ice rink.

Yes, we have a new bridge, paid for mostly by Government funding, but apart from that very little has been achieved. Of course there are plans for the future but until they are acted upon they will remain as pipe dreams.

As we all are aware the seafront is to be developed by Siglion in association with Sunderland City Council. Indeed, that was the intention but after three years there is little to crow about.

When I attended a public meeting at the Marriott Hotel in October 2015, questions posed to Siglion representatives were mainly based upon recreational facilities such as another Crowtree Centre to replace the one demolished.

These responses were dismissed out of hand.

As councillor for Fulwell I object on behalf of all those people who support the ‘Save Seaburn’ campaign on the following grounds: 500 new houses will exacerbate problems to the already over strained health, and educational needs together with all the extra cars owned by the residents of 500 new houses, exacerbating current levels of congestion. Then there are the problems of sewage and drainage.

A new set off proposals are needed to make the seafront popular for all. Coun George Howe, Conservative Councillor Fulwell ward