New flats ‘are too bland’, say planners
A BID to flatten a former factory to make way for an ambitious development was knocked back after a councillor said the design was “bland and uniform”.
North Tyneside council’s planning committee went against their own officers, who advised approval for the scheme.
The former North Eastern Rubber Company building on Clive Street, that leads to the North Shields Fish Quay, has been empty for around 10 years and is in a poor state of repair.
JC Quay Ltd are behind plans to demolish it to make way for three apartment blocks comprising 49 flats and a two-bedroom town house.
A council report said the derelict land on Clive Street is set aside for housing and the development will bring it back into use.
It also claimed the scheme will “conserve and enhance” the appearance of the area.
Despite this, concerned locals have submitted 11 objections to the authority’s planning website.
A neighbouring architect welcomes regeneration of the site and said the design is “generally well thought out”, but warned the area could become “saturated” with flats.
He also has “major concerns” that the four-storey blocks would be overbearing and “dramatically” change the view from across the river.
Another complained that the apartments would block the view of the river.
They wrote: “It’s ironic, that these apartments, if approved, will be marketed with river views, whilst those same views will be blocked to local residents and the general public.”
Coun John O’Shea spoke in support of the project, saying that it was an opportunity to get the derelict factory pulled down.
He said: “I remember it being a terrible factory building, if we can get rid of that and give people something to live in that’s a good thing.”
But committee chairman coun Frank Lott refused to support the application, saying it was a “missed opportunity”.
He said: “I fully accept residents would welcome the reclamation of the long derelict rubber factory buildings.
“This was an opportunity to present something innovative and novel in terms of design.
“I’m afraid what we have is a continuation of the high-level river wall, its bland and uniform.”
The committee voted against the plans saying they felt something more innovative can be achieved.