South Shields car park may be axed to make way for more office space

An application has been made to transform the gravel car park in Mile End Road, South Shields, into a two-storey building – as part of the town’s £100million 365 regeneration plan

The application, which has been submitted by Muse Developments LTD and South Tyneside Council, states the building would be used for business offices plus financial and professional services.

However, Coun Lee Hughes is curious as to which business would want to be based at the site.

Earlier this week a another application was submitted to transform the former travel agents and snooker hall in Keppel Street, into a three-storey building which will be used for retail, business and financial services.

He said: “I’m not sure where all these business are going to come from to fill out all of these office spaces which may be built. That’s two lots of plans now gone in for office-type buildings.

“We have dozens of empty buildings in the town centre already, nobody is snapping them up, and we have a massive empty building down on the riverside.

“This car park is actually quite useful, it’s right in the town centre and it’s ideal if you’re using the Metro to commute.

“Admittedly it’s not the best quality of car park in the world, as it is just a gravel pit. But if a bit of effort was put into sprucing it up I think that would be far better.”

The planning application stated: “The proposed building will be positioned within the eastern part of the site, alongside Mile End Road. The area in the west of the site is shown to be for car parking for 23 cars and associated vehicular access.”

A decision will be made on the application at a future planning meeting.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “This is an application for additional office accommodation arising out of the South Shields 365 regeneration.”

to view the plans, search for application number ‘ST/1038/16/OUT’ at www.southtyneside.gov.uk