Labour Councillor for the Ouseburn ward, Alistair Chisholm, has come forward to oppose the controversial, proposed planning application for 292 apartments at Newcastle East Quayside.
His stance comes as 120 objections have so far been lodged with Newcastle City Council, including local residents and prominent local bodies and councillors.
Amongst Councillor Chisholm’s concerns, is that the centuries-old links that Grade 1 listed St Ann’s Church, on City Road, has with the River Tyne, will be lost forever.
A key principle for accommodating new development is set out in the Tyne Gorge study carried out in 2003 – and commissioned by English Heritage, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council – which clearly states that any new build developments should not compete for attention with existing attractions and historic places, such as St. Ann’s Church, which is situated to the immediate north of the proposed development and as a Grade I listed building requires protection.
“I have spoken to Father Allan Marks at nearby St Ann’s Church who has expressed his deep concerns about overshadowing and loosing sweeping views of The Tyne, fearing the development will cause permanent damage and a loss of heritage to what is a 250-year-old place of worship. The proposed building is within its immediate sight and will obliterate important views of the church from both the Newcastle and Gateshead riversides.
“We are all in agreement that a property development should go ahead but one that is in keeping with the area and is of civic pride and celebration. That has not been presented to us.”
His stance echoes that of Liberal Democrat Councillor for Ouseburn Ward, Gareth Kane, who offered his support to residents of St Ann’s Quay and High Quays. Support has also been given by the influential Newcastle and Northumberland Society, who say the proposal would be a blight on the quayside for generations.
With nearly 292 apartments, the new development would dwarf St Ann’s Quay and High Quays, both of whom have 91 apartments and it will also reach out beyond the alignment of all other neighbouring buildings on the East Quayside.
Councillor Chisholm, added: “I oppose the proposed planning application because the building is totally out of proportion to the surrounding area, there are overshadowing issues to east-facing residents at St Ann’s Quays and I believe the development will have a negative impact, affecting the quality of a large number of residents who will be completely overlooked.”
Louise Richley, director at St Ann’s Quays management Ltd, said: “We have mounted a very considered and credible campaign that has gained a great deal of attention and support. We want Newcastle City Council to look at the damaging impact to the Quayside of this new development, due to its sheer size and scale. We very much support a development but this is not the answer.”
