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Eyesore’s demolition gets final go-ahead
COMING DOWN ... Wouldhave House in South Shields Market Place.
COUNCIL bosses have rubber-stamped the demolition of an eyesore building in South Tyneside.
Members of South Tyneside Council’s decision-making cabinet, meeting this week, have called time on the Wouldhave House office block in South Shields’ Market Place.
The 1960s-built complex is to be flattened before the end of the year.
The aim is that the demolition will help spark regeneration of the area, and create a ‘link’ between the riverside and the town centre.
A new development will be based on the site – but no specific scheme has yet been identified.
Coun Michael Clare, the council’s lead member for regeneration, economic growth and jobs, described the existing building as a ‘barrier to regeneration’.
He said: “Its demolition will improve access to, and views of, the river. We have not decided what will go on the cleared site, but demolition will produce a development site which is a key to securing the regeneration of the riverside and the town centre.
“The aim is that this regeneration will lead to increased economic prosperity and the creation of many new jobs.”
In recent months and years, several businesses sited under the office building – which houses BT South Tyneside staff – have been acquired by the council. These include the Brigantine and The Commando pubs.
Following the recent closure of Franchi’s Cafe, the only retail premises still operating on the site is Ladbrokes bookmakers.
Cabinet members were told the estimated cost of demolishing the building is £340,000.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Comments
There are 8 comments to this article
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wasthatthatguy
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:07 PMThe building would have looked fine with a coat of eg limestone coloured masonry paint. But, that wouldn't have involved the "awarding" of mega-sized contracts to "appreciative" demolition contractors and property developers. The cash-strapped Council goes for the expensive option. Why? Commission?
myviewonlyandonlymine
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:39 AMwasthattha.... The way you word your comments, although you think is clever, isn't. I wonder if you work for the Daily Mail? You certainly seem to get a lot of inspiration from it. Anyone can use suggestive text to imply that someone or an organisation is corrupt, but whilst it may appeal to the uneducated it's certainly not adroit journalism.
MaxKershaw
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:18 PMThats why I thought the 340k quoted was, lets just say 'optimistic'.
wasthatthatguy
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:42 PMThat shouldn't be a problem, as long as any commission is a percentage of the demolition cost.
sanddancer
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:03 PMI would imagine that having been built in the 60s its almost certain that asbestos will be present somewhere.
MaxKershaw
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:15 PMIts been said on these pages that asbestos will be 'found' in the building. Has the Council taken cognizance of that claim ?.
bewilderedonlooker
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 04:40 PMLegally the answers to your questions should be No, No, and No, (but you never know what happens behind closed doors, bungs come in all shapes and sizes)
wasthatthatguy
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 04:11 PMComment removed by moderator
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