Homes plan for old church site
BURNT-OUT BUILDING IS EARMARKED FOR A DOZEN NEW HOUSES
A NEW housing development has been proposed for the former site of a church burnt down five years ago.
Gateshead property developer, Fordinghall Ltd and the South Shieldsbased Artisan Architecture have applied to construct 12 two-storey homes on the former site of the Trinity United Reform Church in Whitley Bay.
No objections have so far been attached to the application.
Whitley Bay councillor John O’shea said: “For several years I have been very concerned about the dereliction of the former church and the unsightly nature of the site.
“I am really really pleased someone has come forward with a planning application to develop the site.
“Clearly housing would benefit local people and certainly benefit local businesses.
“It will eliminate unsightly dereliction in the centre of Whitley Bay and I am supporting the application.
“I have written to the planning officer indicating my support for the development.”
Back in 2019 construction firm La Brisa Limited applied to demolish the church to construct 22 two-bedroom and six one-bedroom apartments with parking and landscaping.
However, the application was withdrawn in 2020 after the firm and the local authority could not reach an agreement regarding Section 106 payments.
The church caught fire in 2017 but it was not until 2021 the building was demolished and the site cleared. In the meantime, it became an eyesore and a serious concern for neighbours.
In the intervening years the church was a source of vandalism.
Even after the fire-damaged buuilding was demolished, the vacant plot became a hotspot for fly tipping.
Residents had also raised concerns about how the derelict church was affecting house prices in the area.
It was originally opened to the public on November 25 1900. Its congregation peaked in the 1930s with approximately 900 members.