South Tyneside Council urged to step in to end running saga over 'eyesore' pub

A Biddick and All Saints ward Councillor has urged the Council to ‘call time’ on the running delays over an eyesore former pub in her heart of her ward.

Despite being given permission by South Tyneside Council to demolish the Pickwick Arms in 2018, the owners have still not made moves to flatten the derelict pub in Dickens Avenue.

The site remains a magnet for graffiti, vandalism and trespassing. Councillor Katharine Maxwell, a Labour Councillor for the area, believes that the saga has gone on for long enough and that following further complaints from local residents she is demanding the Council use its powers to go to Court and seek a ‘compulsory purchase order’ to take ownership of the site.

She said: “I simply have no faith in the owner or his Agent setting a timescale to resolve this matter. Local residents are required to live next to this derelict building. I have to question, if the owner of the Pickwick Arms actually lived next to this pub himself, whether he would have moved more quickly to flatten it.

“I am afraid it appears to be ‘out of sight, out of mind’ for the owner and it simply is not acceptable.”

Once the site is cleared, Cllr Maxwell would wish to see local residents consulted as to its future.

“I have no fixed views on what this land should be used for, whether to retain as open space or using the land for new house build. I would be interested in local residents views.”

Cllr Maxwell has contacted the Councils Chief Executive requesting that he examine the potential of a compulsory purchase for the site and to seek a timeline for the eventual demolition of the pub.

She said: “I will also be asking for this matter to be a formal item on a future Community Area Forum agenda so that all members of the Committee have the opportunity to join me, in supporting local residents, to have this issue resolved once and for all.”