Vandalism of Seaburn
Following the decision of Sunderland City Council to build several hundred houses on green field land at Seaburn, despite the cautionary objections by residents and Fulwell Ward councillors as to consequences that would create, residents are already facing the predicted problems that the current developments are creating.
Over the past 18 months residents have been plagued with huge increases of traffic parking in their front streets, with people using them as rat runs in order to escape seafront traffic jams. Of course these problems were expected and so the number of new houses to be built were reduced.
However even with the reduced number of new builds it is expected that the advent of the new houses will generate several hundred extra cars, adding to the already traffic congestion that is plaguing the once attractive seafront. There can be no excuse for what many residents and visitors alike believe, that is, that the council have boobed in their haste to, what I call, the vandalism of Seaburn and its open spaces.
Yes there was a need to attract visitors to the area.
Yes there was a need to add places of interest such as another hotel and even the Shack but houses no!
Several years ago I together with other Conservative councillors believed that to create a 12-month yearly presence, a leisure centre, one to replace the popular Crowtree Centre, would be a much appreciated facility.
Indeed this was supported by both local residents and visitors.
However the council created a new development management team to attract investment to the seafront, Siglion; what a disaster that was!
But can one really be surprised, especially when the Vaux site lay empty and forlorn for 20 years as the council refused Tesco's offer to develop the prime space.
Cllr. George Howe. Sent via email.