Park campaigners hold meeting in fight to scotch building plans

Campaigners fighting a plan to build a new sports ground in South Tyneside are hoping to gain extra public support at a meeting tonight.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Dec 2017, 08:08 BST- 1 min read

Updated 18th Dec 2017, 08:10 BST

Local residents concerns over building plans on Temple Park.

They are urging borough residents to join them at the Armstrong Hall, in Stanhope Road, South Shields, to discuss the proposal.

It is part of their newly-launched fight against the South Shields and Westoe Club’s bid to move to a site at Temple Park.

The club wants to relocate a mile from its Wood Terrace home, in South Shields, where it has been based for 168 years, to satisfy its expansion ambitions.

Officials have filed plans to build new rugby and cricket pitches, as well as squash and tennis facilities.

Its present home would be sold to developers, with 82 detached luxury homes built.

But the Friends of Temple Park group has slammed the scheme, saying it will put public land into the hands of a private club.

They are also concerned at the expected impact on the park’s wildlife and accessibility to existing users.

In a post of social media site Facebook, Friends of Temple Park member Rob Atkinson says: “We must oppose the loss of more of our green belt land.”

The meeting is planned for 7pm for a 7.30pm start.