Appeal for joint service centre is lodged
AN APPEAL has been lodged against refusal to build a controversial joint service centre in Whitley Bay.
Last November, planners at North Tyneside Council threw out the proposals for the centre on the site of Whitley Bay Library in Park Road, calling the design "ugly" and raising concerns about parking.
But now the group behind the plans, Newcastle and North Tyneside Local Improvement Finance Trust (NNT LIFTCo, has lodged the appeal with the Secretary of State.
The plans are for one building containing a new library, offices, council services and two GP practices.
However, traders and residents believe the library should be moved into the town centre while Mayor John Harrison has previously asked officers to look at the possibility of putting the library in the former Woolworths store.
A spokesperson for NNT LIFTCo said: "We were disappointed by the development committee's decision to reject the planning application for a joint services centre in Whitley Bay.
"We believe the plans for this site will provide a fantastic opportunity for local residents to access modern, state-of-the-art facilities all under one roof.
"The site offers an ideal location to provide residents with 'one stop shop' access to both health and council services – including two GP practices, a library and customer service centre – in a convenient, easy to access, central location.
"Alongside the health and social services, the building will also provide flexible space for local voluntary and community groups to offer services tailored to the needs of the community.
"We are now awaiting the planning inspectorate's decision on our appeal."
Outline planning permission for a three-story mixed use building was granted on the site in March 2007.
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
