Planning submitted for first phase of £100 million South Shields 'masterplan'

South Tyneside Council’s Planning Committee will next week consider an application for an iconic new building which would form the first phase of a £100 million masterplan.

The Committee is due to deliver its decision about a proposed Central Library and Digital Media Centre in South Shields town centre on Monday.

The building, which would be built on Ferry Street, on the Riverside, as well as improvements to the adjacent Market Place, is a key component of the South Shields 365 regeneration plans.

A new 40 space car park would also be constructed on vacant land on Harton Quays as part of the work.

The application, which was submitted in June, will be heard following a long period of public consultation about the proposals. If approved, work is scheduled to begin on site early in the New Year.

At the time of the announcement, Councillor Malcolm said: “South Shields has tremendous potential and this masterplan is about making sure that it is realised. We are ambitious for South Shields and we have to play to its strengths.

“We have a beautiful coastline, a magnificent riverside and a unique and very welcoming community and these are powerful assets that we can build on to secure a bright future for our town centre.

“Like high streets across the country, South Shields town centre is facing major challenges as a result of the rise of online shopping, out of town retail parks and the tough economic climate.

“It has become very clear that the town centre needs to change if it is to prosper. We cannot turn the clock back.

“Our vision for South Shields is to make it a place of year round cultural, leisure and retail activity for residents, businesses and visitors. We recognise the need to offer an experience that people cannot get on the Internet or at out of town retail parks.

“By expanding our retail and leisure offer we can not only retain a greater proportion of our residents’ spending power in the Borough but also attract more visitors from other parts of the region.”