Council flogs one of prize assets on cheap
OBE award for surgeon GNR cancer hero dies
A PLASTIC surgeon who helped victims of a devastating nightclub fire in Romania was among three North East people to receive honours at Buckingham Palace this week.
Dr Sarah Pape, executive headteacher Lesley Powell and glassmaker Brian Jones picked up their gongs from Prince Charles at an investiture ceremony on Thursday.
Dr Pape, from Longwitton, Northumberland, was awarded an OBE for her services to the treatment of burns patients in the UK and Romania.
In 2015, when a devastating fire hit the Club Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest, claiming 64 lives, she flew out to the scene within hours of hearing about the incident. TRIBUTES have been paid to the “true winner” of the Great North Run who has lost his battle with cancer.
Matt Hadden, who suffered from terminal bone cancer, was the last person finish the run in September.
The 28-year-old made headlines after completing the 13.1 mile course on his prosthetic leg, finishing in four hours and 48 minutes.
He died peacefully at home in Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington, on Wednesday.
Although he was the last to cross the line, Great North Run organisers said his determination meant he was the real winner.
His incredible efforts at the Great North Run helped to raise £8,000 for cancer charity Maggie’s. The former Jesmond Dene Nursery site which was up for auction A CASH-STRAPPED council has sold off one of its crown jewels but turned down the chance to make millions of pounds more, it can today be revealed.
The former Jesmond Dene Nursery site on Jesmond Dene Road – the most valuable asset in Newcastle City Council’s land portfolio – is to be turned into new hotel rooms and a spa after several bids were placed for the plot.
It is thought that, despite being the third highest bidder, PegasusLife was chosen as the council’s preferred buyer.
In figures seen by the Sunday Sun, but not confirmed by the council, it is claimed that PegasusLife offered £9m for the site.
Two higher bids of nearly £13m and £12m were disqualified and were not chosen, a source said.
Criticism has now been levelled at the council for choosing a lower bid and undercutting itself of almost £4m – just a month after announcing a raft of £13m cuts over the next financial year.
The council also recently agreed to hand over the running of its parks to a charitable trust.
Liberal Democrat councillor for East Gosforth, Henry Gallagher, said: “We know there were higher bids but I don’t exactly know why they were not picked up.
“At least some of that money should remain in the area to help local parks Coun Henry Gallagher and green spaces.”
The 6.7-acre site – which includes cleared land, a number of vacant buildings and historic police stables – was initially put up for auction a year ago by the council with a guide price of £4m.
The auction was expended when an agreement was made to separate the historic Real Tennis Club from the deal.
PegasusLife’s plans for the plot of land would see Jesmond Dene House extended through the redevelopment of the old police stables to create new hotel rooms and a spa.
Subject to contract, the firm is aim-