‘Window’ solution for iconic city centre sign
Tories risk ‘house building free-for-all’
THE Tories are putting Labour-held constituencies in Northumberland at risk of a housing freefor-all following the withdrawal of a key planning document, an MP has claimed.
In July, Northumberland County Council scrapped its local plan core strategy – which spells out how land will be used for new homes and jobs.
The Conservatives claimed the target to build more than 26,000 new homes in the county by 2031, set under the previous Labour administration, was too high.
But Labour councillors argued that the planning document took years to put in place and the Tories were playing ‘naked politics’.
Four months on, Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell raised his concerns in the House of Commons that axing the core strategy had put his constituency and nearby Wansbeck at risk of over-development.
Mr Campbell said: “It is a disgrace for the county council. What I want to see is for the core strategy to be brought back and for everyone to take their fair share of the houses, not just Blyth and Wansbeck.”
But Tory council leader Peter Jackson hit back at Mr Campbell and said his claims were untrue, saying they removed Labour’s plan to build 26,000 new homes and were working on a new plan. Reporter THERE were fears it would obstruct one of Newcastle’s most well-known signs.
But plans for a new student block in the heart of the city have been adapted to make part of it see-through.
The proposed nine-storey development on the corner of Westgate Road and St James’ Boulevard sparked opposition earlier this year over fears that the building could cover up the Robert Sinclair Tobacco Company sign.
New plans have now been submitted by Versant Developments, who bought the derelict piece of land last year 12 years after the Carlisle Hotel was demolished on the site.
The building has been redesigned following concerns that the flats would block the Robert Sinclair Tobacco sign which has existed since 1856.
It means a glass-fronted common room directly in front of the sign has been suggested as a way to keep it visible to the public.
The new design shows the sign illuminated with spotlights behind a seating area for the students.
A design document produced by Versant and The Jesmond Group of chartered architects they said “the significance of the sign on Blenheim House is important to planners”.
It adds: “Thus, the internal layout was amended accordingly, so that the sign is not covered up, but instead lit up and is displayed as a prominent feature in the common room (on Levels 6 and 7).
“It will also be able to be viewed externally.”
However, one neighbour believes the sign will still be unnecessarily obstructed if the project is given the green light.
Jane Hodson-Hamilton, who lives in Blenheim House, next to the proposed site, said: “I don’t really think a glass panel will solve the problem.
“Coming up Westgate Road it will still be obstructed.
“It’s an iconic sign and they are doing away with a bit of Newcastle history.”
In an official objection to the plans, Jane added that the sign was “restored at considerable expense to the management company some years ago and