WORK on transforming run-down Hebburn town centre will start this summer – but a row is rumbling on about older facilities facing the axe.
It has been confirmed construction work on the Hebburn scheme will start in August, including a six-lane swimming pool, a new library, a sports hall the size of four badminton courts, a gym and a customer service centre.
But a row erupted yesterday at a meeting of Hebburn community area forum, with some residents claiming the council was sending out “mixed messages” about the future of the existing Hebburn CA.
And there was anger when it was suggested an indoor bowls facility would not be included in the hub scheme, due to “prohibitive” cost.
It is claimed this could threaten the future of Hebburn Community Association Bowling Club, after more than 40 years.
Resident Peter Tallack was annoyed that previous comments about the future of Hebburn CA had not been minuted from the last forum meeting, telling councillors: “I think this is a cover-up and you are trying to hush it up.”
His comments came after Coun Alan Kerr, the council’s lead member for culture and leisure and also chairman of Hebburn CA, had previously suggested the launch of the Hebburn hub could lead to the closure of the existing community centre in Argyle Street.
But speaking at yesterday’s forum, Coun Kerr said: “As lead member for culture and leisure, I can say that no final decision has been made on the community centre, which is one of 15 or 16 in the borough being looked at. There is no plan to close anything as yet.”
It was also suggested that bowlers using Hebburn CA were being “discriminated against,” as a new facility was not included in the hub scheme.
But Rick O’Farrell, South Tyneside Council’s head of enterprise and regeneration, said: “I’m not discriminating against the bowlers.
“The advice I was given was that there would be some displacement, but that there was not sufficient requirement to justify the capital cost.”
Mr O’Farrell said a series of public consultation events about the hub scheme would be staged within the next fortnight at Hebburn Library, Hebburn Pool and Hebburn CA.
The regeneration blueprint comes after talks with retail giant Asda about the creation of a new supermarket in the town centre ended in failure last year.
Mr O’Farrell added: “This hub is one of several to be built in the borough and is part of the process of providing modern, up-to-date facilities.
“The aim is to stimulate footfall into the town centre and to attract a new food store and investment in the two shopping malls.
“We will be on site this August. Subject to planning permission, December 2014 is the completion date.”
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