Driving school for kids gets into gear in South Shields

The Junior Driving School, which is just for kids, is being built in South Promenade, South Shields.

The project, by Joe Sheeran – who also owns Oasis Amusements, the Blue Marlin and Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf – will be for youngsters aged four to 12.

Planning permission has been granted for the new attraction, which will be on council -owned land, and it’s hoped that it will be open in time for the Easter holidays.

Mr Sheeran didn’t want to comment on the plans at this stage, but the planning application reads: “The driving school concept allows young children between the ages of four and 12 to experience the road in their very own vehicle.

“Along with manoeuvring around the roads and roundabout the children would enjoy stopping at junctions then setting off again to traffic lights.

“On completion of the session, the children would be presented with their very own driving licence.

“This type of attraction has mainly been constructed in major theme parks such as Legoland and Alton Towers and the applicant would like to introduce the first attraction of its kind to South Shields.”

The land being used was previously covered in dated paving stones.

The proposed road layout will be constructed with concrete kerbs and tarmac roads complete with road markings and the islands will finished with artificial grass .

The cars will be stored in a compound in the fairground.