Agenda item

To consider representations that have been made to the Authority in relation to a statutory notice confirming the Authority’s intention to dispose of an area of land within its freehold ownership at Centurion Park, Rheydt Avenue in Wallsend, part of which is classed as public open space.

Cabinet received a report which presented public representations that had been made to the Authority in accordance with a statutory advertisement confirming the Authority’s intention to dispose an area of land within its ownership at Centurion Park, Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, part of which was classed as public open space. 

The Land shown (within the area in dark outline) on the Plan appended to the report, was declared surplus to the Authority’s requirements by Cabinet on 24 January 2022. Approval was also given for it to be made available for disposal by private treaty to Bellway Homes Limited, for the development of 215 new homes, including 54 affordable homes, in respect of which the Authority’s Planning Committee gave a “minded to grant” planning approval to the planning application on 17 January 2023, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Planning Agreement.

As the Land was classed as public open space it was subject to the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 1972. The Authority must therefore give notice of its intention to dispose of the Land in accordance with Section 123 (2A) of the Act and formally consider any representations made.This must be done by placing notices confirming the proposed disposal for two consecutive weeks in a local newspaper. The Authority’s intentions were advertised in the Journal newspaper on 7 November 2022, and 14 November 2022, respectively. The closing date for the receipt of representations was set as 2 December 2022.

Prior to the closing date, 3 representations were made to the Authority all of which were objections to the proposed disposal. These were from a local resident, The Rt Hon Nick Brown, MP, and Wallsend Boys Club.  The main points of objection received to the proposed disposal of the land together with officer responses at appropriate intervals were set out in section 1.5.2 of the report.

As part of a strategic review of sport and leisure facilities in the Wallsend area a significant amount of public consultation was undertaken by the Authority prior to the closure and lease of existing facilities to Keeping Inns limited and Wallsend Boys Club.  At that time there was a recognised need to replace ageing sport and leisure facilities. This ultimately led to the opening of Hadrian Leisure centre with over £10 million investment in new facilities. This included a state-of-the-art gym, new swimming pools and public access to a new all-weather pitch, multi-use games areas, sports hall, dance studio and a regionally significant climbing wall.

In addition, a new grass football pitch and cricket pitch was provided at Churchill College. The quality and quantity of new facilities available for public use far exceed those closed and subsequently leased out for other use. The new facilities were also built in parts of Wallsend that were much more accessible for the local community.  Since that time, the Authority had also supported both Wallsend Boys Club and Wallsend Rugby Club to establish new, quality, facilities in the Wallsend area. Prior to this both clubs did not have a base for match play in North Tyneside.

As part of the disposal of existing facilities at Bigges Main, the Authority leased the existing site of Wallsend Boys Club on a long-term basis for a term of 80 years from 2012. This had enabled the Club, with the Authority’s support, to develop the excellent facilities they now had on site including a new artificial grass pitch and new grass pitches as well as changing facilities and car parking.

In addition, land east of St Peters playing fields was leased to Wallsend Rugby Club and support was given to the club to establish two new full size Rugby pitches and a new base for the club was established.  At the present time, the Authority was also at an advanced stage to provide a new Sports Hub at St Peters playing fields which would include another new artificial grass pitch as well as changing and other community facilities.

Finally, as part of the upgrade of Richardson Dees Park, new and refurbished recreational facilities were provided. This included tennis courts, bowling facilities, a multi-use games area, an outdoor gym, a skate park and a large children’s play site.

Following a strategic review of leisure facilities in Wallsend and across the Borough, significant investment was made in sports, leisure and park facilities for the community.

Cabinet having regard to the objections received and the officers’ responses to each objection contained in the report Resolved that the objections received in relation to the disposal of the Land at Centurion Park, Rheydt Avenue, Wallsend, shown on the plan (within the area in dark outline) attached at Appendix 1 be set aside, and that authorisation for the disposal of the Land be reaffirmed.