Gateshead councillors will decide whether to develop the site of the iconic former Odeon cinema.
The applicant, Mr Joshy Mani, has proposed the construction of 109 residential apartments on the site, located on High Street. The cinema was originally demolished in 2003 and the site has been left undeveloped, despite numerous plans, ever since.
The proposal details the provision of 34 one bedroom apartments, 53 two bedroom apartments, and 22 three bedroom apartments, spread over two to nine stories. The flats would have access to communal facilities like a gym and communal lounge, and car parking space.
Read More: Gateshead's vanished Odeon cinema and how one of the UK's biggest starts flew in to open it
However, the application has met with a public objection. The public objection claims such a development is not in keeping with the area and is not in keeping with the aspirations of the town centre, especially as there are no ground floor facilities.
The author of the objection was also unclear as to how the contractor would contract tenants to the new flats.
Council officers also raised concerns regarding aspects of the application. According to a council report into the application the proposed development does not allow for a sufficient number of affordable homes. The proposal also did not take into account to what extent the building would impact visual amenity, outlook, or potential loss of light.
Officers were also concerned by the proposals lack of consideration as to whether noise levels during the development would be within acceptable limits. The proposal, according to council officers, also contained “insufficient” information as to how the ecology of the area could be affected by these 109 new dwellings.
Highway safety and air pollution assessments by the developer were also called into question, with council employees dubbing them “insufficient.” Council officers have recommended Gateshead council’s planning committee to reject the application.
Councillors will meet tomorrow at 10:00am at the civic centre to decide the fate of the proposal.
