We whopped the Whopper!
Campaigners WIN fight against Burger King branch:
DEVELOPERS have axed “unthinkable” plans to turn a former Newcastle police station into a Burger King.
Proposals to transform the disused police station in Newcastle’s West End sparked a huge backlash earlier this year when it emerged that part of the Westgate Road site could become a drivethrough fast food restaurant.
But ahead of city councillors ruling on whether the controversial project could go ahead next week, the redevelopment scheme has now been dropped.
It was feared the plans, which also included two shops and a dental practice, would cause traffic congestion and have a damaging impact on the health of residents in an area that already has some of the worst levels of childhood obesity levels in Newcastle.
Residents had launched a ‘Stop the Woppa’ campaign against the project and described the drive-through Burger King as an “unthinkable proposition”. Objectors also included the Britain’s Fat
Fight team and the Centre for Food Policy. Locals in the West End say they now hope to be involved in producing a new vision for the vacant police station site, with suggestions that it would be better used as offices or a hotel.
A spokesperson from the West End Residents Association said: “It appears the developers realised their previous proposal won’t work for the West End. We wait to hear what they plan now.
“We want the old police station site to benefit the whole community and city and residents hope to meet with the developers in the new year to discuss the way forward.”
The plans, from developer Hadrian Property Investments, were due before Newcastle City Council’s planning committee on November 29 and it is understood the local authority had serious concerns about the project.
Part of the four-storey station would have been torn down, including cell blocks.
According to council documents, the developer withdrew its planning application via an email on Tuesday.
Both Burger King and planning consultants Fairhurst have been contacted for a comment.