Controversy over new offices
ning committee that the development will have a “huge” impact on residents and devalue his property.
Peter Ferguson said: “The only point of buying the premises was to DESIGNS for a new office development have unobstructed views of the Tyne overlooking the Tyne Bridge Bridge. have been given the green light. “We paid a premium for that when
Adderstone Group’s plans for a we bought it. That has totally gone two-storey office block with views of by the wayside.” the iconic bridge and the River He added that the parking in Tyne won the approval of Gateshead the prominent location is Council planning already “a disaster” and bosses on Wednesday. that the offices, which
The offices will be could accommodate built in Bottle up to 40 employees, Bank, on a piazza would exacerbate next to the Curzon the problem. Place flats which had previously Adderstone been CEO Ian Baggett intended for responded: “We “high quality public like doing developments. space”. We like
But with plans for making things happen. seating and art installations I would see it as a failing to materialise, clever design that is taking council bosses have now given the advantage of a prime location.” go-ahead to use the land as offices. The office is proposed to have a
The decision angered the owner full height curved glass frontage and of Curzon Place, who told the plan- meeting rooms with views directly Local Democracy Reporter Peter Ferguson over the grade-II listed Tyne Bridge.
Planning officers say that it is only the ground floor flats of Curzon Place, which face east or north east, that will potentially be affected by loss of views or light as their living room windows will look onto the office block.
A council report added: “During the development of the Curzon Place scheme, the piazza was originally proposed to provide an area of outdoor space with art installations and street furniture.
“However, the area has never been used to its full potential and there is little evidence to suggest that the piazza was used as an area of open space. Indeed, the area has been partially fenced off and inaccessible to the public for several years.
“The piazza is not a formally allocated area of open space and the loss is not considered to be detrimental to the public. As a result, officers are of the view that it can be regarded as surplus to requirements.
“Further, the development of the piazza could be considered a positive development as it would bring the area back into use and create a buffer between Curzon Place and the busy highway to the east.”