A local site http://www.thenorthernherald.blogspot.com/ has highlighted a forthcoming council sub committee meeting. The Common Land, Town and Village Greens Committee will meet on 9th January 2007 (4 p.m. Council Chambers) to discuss a request by Mr Ahmed Khan to grant common land status to large areas of land on the sea front. Whilst not a member of the Save Our Seafront Committee, Mr Khan shares the Associations concern for the future of the area. His request to the council committee will have an effect on the Tavistock development, and if granted, will protect the area from any further developments.
The public are allowed to attend the meeting, but at this stage cannot make verbal contributions. However, a good turn out will show that we are not going to give up on this issue. I would therefore urge you all to attend.
Have a good New Year!
http://thenorthernherald.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-arethe-village-green-preservation.html
Sunday 30 December 2007
LEAFLETING EXERCISE WESTOE CROWN VILLAGE
Earlier this month I posted on the new campaign that will begin in the New Year. In the first couple of weeks of January 2008 we are leafleting the Westoe Crown Village and surrounding areas to increase the awareness of the problems the Tavistock development will cause. If anybody wants to help with this exercise or become involved with the campaign, send an email to GypsiesGreen@Yahoo.Co.Uk and I will send you all the camapign details etc.
Thursday 27 December 2007
DISTRICT AUDITOR UPDATE
Whilst planning the New Years campaign, I came across the original template of a letter which was sent to the District Auditor re the plans for the Gypsies Green Stadium and surrounding areas. I have posted the text so that you are all aware that there are many ways to tackle this issue, and that no stone will be left unturned in the fight to Save Our Seafront.
NAME AND ADDRESS (Removed for obvious reasons)
Paul Woolston.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
89 Sandyford Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8HW
Dear Mr Woolston
RE: SOUTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL BEST CONSIDERATION ON DISPOSAL OF LAND AT GYPSIES GREEN SPORTS STADIUM, GYPSIES GREEN SPORTS GROUND, SEA ROAD, SOUTH SHIELDS, TYNE AND WEAR.
I am writing to you in your capacity as District Auditor for South Tyneside Council.
It is my understanding that South Tyneside Council is to dispose of a parcel of land to enable development to take place on that land. The land in question is known as Gypsies Green Sports Stadium, located at Gypsies Green Sports Ground, Sea Road, South Shields.
It is my belief that the Council has in its deliberation on disposal of this land failed to give full and appropriate consideration to obtaining the best available consideration for the land both in terms of usage and disposal.
It is my view that to obtain best consideration in the disposal of the land the Council must and should have taken into account the value of the land for amenity usage as well as merely its disposal value. The land in question is at present used for sporting, leisure and recreational activity which includes public usage of the land thereby giving the land a high recreational and amenity value. The land also includes a number of facilities, namely a sports stadium, running track, football pitches, changing rooms and car parking.
I would therefore request that you investigate this matter under your various powers to ensure that the South Tyneside Council is in fact obtaining best usage and best consideration for the land in question.
Yours sincerely
SIGNATURE (removed for obvious reasons)
NAME AND ADDRESS (Removed for obvious reasons)
Paul Woolston.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
89 Sandyford Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8HW
Dear Mr Woolston
RE: SOUTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL BEST CONSIDERATION ON DISPOSAL OF LAND AT GYPSIES GREEN SPORTS STADIUM, GYPSIES GREEN SPORTS GROUND, SEA ROAD, SOUTH SHIELDS, TYNE AND WEAR.
I am writing to you in your capacity as District Auditor for South Tyneside Council.
It is my understanding that South Tyneside Council is to dispose of a parcel of land to enable development to take place on that land. The land in question is known as Gypsies Green Sports Stadium, located at Gypsies Green Sports Ground, Sea Road, South Shields.
It is my belief that the Council has in its deliberation on disposal of this land failed to give full and appropriate consideration to obtaining the best available consideration for the land both in terms of usage and disposal.
It is my view that to obtain best consideration in the disposal of the land the Council must and should have taken into account the value of the land for amenity usage as well as merely its disposal value. The land in question is at present used for sporting, leisure and recreational activity which includes public usage of the land thereby giving the land a high recreational and amenity value. The land also includes a number of facilities, namely a sports stadium, running track, football pitches, changing rooms and car parking.
I would therefore request that you investigate this matter under your various powers to ensure that the South Tyneside Council is in fact obtaining best usage and best consideration for the land in question.
Yours sincerely
SIGNATURE (removed for obvious reasons)
Tuesday 18 December 2007
END OF YEAR REVIEW
A meeting of the Save Our Seafront committee was held last night to discuss the progress of the fight to preserve the Borough’s coastline. The public petition exercises were analyzed and found to be a resounding success, with thousands of people signing the petition to oppose the plans to allow Tavistock to build a hotel on the site of the Stadium.
Whilst we will continue to consult the public (something the Council refuse to do) 2008 will see a new and novel programme of opposition to the development. If the Council thought the fight would die a death, they are very, very wrong. Campaigners, thanks to public backing, are now more motivated than ever.
This may be the last post this year, so on behalf of all those involved, thank you for your unanimous support. Keep writing those letters to the Shields Gazette and remember to let your own ward councillors know that you are against the campaign and that you want them to reflect your views.
Don’t forget to visit the site regularly, as campaign programmes will be highlighted here first.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Recharge your batteries for 2008, because that’s when the fight really begins!
Whilst we will continue to consult the public (something the Council refuse to do) 2008 will see a new and novel programme of opposition to the development. If the Council thought the fight would die a death, they are very, very wrong. Campaigners, thanks to public backing, are now more motivated than ever.
This may be the last post this year, so on behalf of all those involved, thank you for your unanimous support. Keep writing those letters to the Shields Gazette and remember to let your own ward councillors know that you are against the campaign and that you want them to reflect your views.
Don’t forget to visit the site regularly, as campaign programmes will be highlighted here first.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Recharge your batteries for 2008, because that’s when the fight really begins!
Sunday 9 December 2007
Protestors at Jarrow
Many thanks to the number of people who signed our petition, over 500 stopped and signed.It made standing in the cold for two hours worthwhile. In the New Year we hope to be in Hebburn town centre.
I will take this opportunity to wish every one a Merry Christmas and a Happy, prosperous and successful Year for 2008.
I will take this opportunity to wish every one a Merry Christmas and a Happy, prosperous and successful Year for 2008.
Friday 30 November 2007
Story Time
Are you sitting comfortablely? Then I will begin.
In Setember, after reading about the proposed hotel to be built on Gypsies Green, the residents of The Broadway, the Kingsway and Mowbray Road arranged a meeting at Souter Lighthouse with the National Trust, Councillor Malcolm and Mr. Rick O'Farrell from the planning department. Other members of the public also attended and from this meeting the Save Our Seafront (SOS) group was formed.
At the meeting in Souter Lighthouse the National Trust was asked why they had refused the offer of the land at Gypsies Green Stadium. The reply was that the site was a' land fill' site and the area was of no Special Scientific Interest (SSI) . However, the beach nearest the Stadium is an area of SSI. Many questions were asked and a lot of discussion took place.
Also at this meeting Councillor Malcolm said that the site had been SOLD TO THE TAVISTOCK GROUP AND A DEPOSIT GIVEN. This deposit could be refunded if the group did not obtain planning permission for the building of this hotel.
In November Mr. G. Hunt wrote to the Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown about the sale of the land and the building of an hotel on a sports area namely Gypsies Green Stadium. Mr. Brown receives hundreds of letters a day and is unable to answer all of them personally so the letter was passed to the Government Office for the North East. The letter was answered on Nov.14th 2007 by Mrs. Margaret P. Lancaster of the planning team for the Environment and Durham. I will quote from this letter:-
"I have been in touch with the Council about the Stadium. The Council Officiers tell me that THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO APPLICATION TO DEVELOP THE SITE FOR any specific purpose."
What is the truth? Will we ever know the truth
In Setember, after reading about the proposed hotel to be built on Gypsies Green, the residents of The Broadway, the Kingsway and Mowbray Road arranged a meeting at Souter Lighthouse with the National Trust, Councillor Malcolm and Mr. Rick O'Farrell from the planning department. Other members of the public also attended and from this meeting the Save Our Seafront (SOS) group was formed.
At the meeting in Souter Lighthouse the National Trust was asked why they had refused the offer of the land at Gypsies Green Stadium. The reply was that the site was a' land fill' site and the area was of no Special Scientific Interest (SSI) . However, the beach nearest the Stadium is an area of SSI. Many questions were asked and a lot of discussion took place.
Also at this meeting Councillor Malcolm said that the site had been SOLD TO THE TAVISTOCK GROUP AND A DEPOSIT GIVEN. This deposit could be refunded if the group did not obtain planning permission for the building of this hotel.
In November Mr. G. Hunt wrote to the Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown about the sale of the land and the building of an hotel on a sports area namely Gypsies Green Stadium. Mr. Brown receives hundreds of letters a day and is unable to answer all of them personally so the letter was passed to the Government Office for the North East. The letter was answered on Nov.14th 2007 by Mrs. Margaret P. Lancaster of the planning team for the Environment and Durham. I will quote from this letter:-
"I have been in touch with the Council about the Stadium. The Council Officiers tell me that THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO APPLICATION TO DEVELOP THE SITE FOR any specific purpose."
What is the truth? Will we ever know the truth
Sunday 25 November 2007
Protestors at Jarrow
On Sat. Dec.1st members of Gypsies Green Action Group will be in Jarrow Town Centre and outside Morrisons with petitions for members of the public to sign if they are in agreement with our cause.
We are objecting to South tyneside Council selling Gypsies Green Stadium in order to build a four storey hotel on the site. Once the land has been built on it will be lost for ever as a recreational venue for use by everyone in the borough especially the young footballers and the Harriers.
We will look forward to meeting everyone.
We are objecting to South tyneside Council selling Gypsies Green Stadium in order to build a four storey hotel on the site. Once the land has been built on it will be lost for ever as a recreational venue for use by everyone in the borough especially the young footballers and the Harriers.
We will look forward to meeting everyone.
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Collection of signatures at the Nook
We had an excellent response on Saturday Nov 17th at the Nook when members of 'Save our Seafront' were out asking for signatures.
Thank you to everyone who took part, we need all the support you are willing to give.
Thank you to everyone who took part, we need all the support you are willing to give.
Council Meeting Nov. 22nd 2007
At the Council meeting on Thursday Nov 22nd at 3.00pm twelve questions are going to be asked by members of 'Save Gypsies Green' group. They will all be concerned with Gypsies Green Stadium.
We are also going to protest on the steps of the Town Hall again before we go into the Town Hall. Your support would be welcomed for this and for the Council meeting.
Thank you in anticipation for your support
We are also going to protest on the steps of the Town Hall again before we go into the Town Hall. Your support would be welcomed for this and for the Council meeting.
Thank you in anticipation for your support
Wednesday 14 November 2007
Saturday Nov. 17th 2007
On Saturday Nov.17th members of 'Save our Seafront' will be at the Nook with petitions for members of the public to sign if they wish, also there will be another referendum to see how much support this campaign has from the people of South Tyneside
We want to save Gypsies Green Stadium from sold and developed. We feel that it should be kept as a sport's stadium for the furture and present young people of South Tyneside. We hope to have your support.
We want to save Gypsies Green Stadium from sold and developed. We feel that it should be kept as a sport's stadium for the furture and present young people of South Tyneside. We hope to have your support.
Wednesday 31 October 2007
Saturday's Straw Poll
On Saturday Oct. 27th many members of 'Save Gypsies Geen' group set up a table under the bridge in Kings Street. Members if the public were asked to sign our petition and at the same time were asked if they would like to take part in a 'straw poll'. 793 members of the public took part. The votes were counted by a Gazette reporter. The result was:-
780 votes against the building of the proposed hotel with 13 votes for building the proposed hotel.
This was a huge majority in our favour so we feel that it is a worthwhile project to proceed with. We hope that people of South Tyneside will feel that they are able to support any future event to help us save our beautiful coastline and protect Gypsies Green Stadium from any further developement.
780 votes against the building of the proposed hotel with 13 votes for building the proposed hotel.
This was a huge majority in our favour so we feel that it is a worthwhile project to proceed with. We hope that people of South Tyneside will feel that they are able to support any future event to help us save our beautiful coastline and protect Gypsies Green Stadium from any further developement.
Open Meeting
An open meeting of 'Save Gypsies Green Stadium' group will be held on Thursday November 8th 2007 in the New Crown Hotel at 7.00pm. It will take place in the big room looking out on to Mowbray Road. Everyone is welcomed.
Wednesday 3 October 2007
Council Press Release claims that there was 'extensive public consultation.'
A trawl of the South Tyneside website produced this result. Below is their press release announcing the hotel development.
South Tyneside Council
Press releases
9 Aug 2007
Landmark Luxury Hotel Planned For South Shields
"The regeneration of South Shields Foreshore has taken a major step forward after South Tyneside Council appointed Tavistock Leisure Ltd as its preferred developer for a £15 million luxury hotel and conference venue, which will be the largest facility of its kind in the region."
It goes on ...
"A Foreshore Working Group, chaired by the Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor Iain Malcolm, was set up three years ago to oversee any projects for the area. It carried out extensive public consultation with local residents, sports, heritage and business organisations before determining that a high-quality hotel would be the preferred development option for the stadium site." More ...
But it appears as though many signing the petition are unaware that a public consultation took place, never mind an 'extensive one.'
Perhaps Councillor Iain Malcolm can explain if this consultation was the extensive one that was referred to here ... 'Last Call for Gypsies Green Ideas' ....in 2004 ... some 3 years ago!!!
South Tyneside Council
Press releases
9 Aug 2007
Landmark Luxury Hotel Planned For South Shields
"The regeneration of South Shields Foreshore has taken a major step forward after South Tyneside Council appointed Tavistock Leisure Ltd as its preferred developer for a £15 million luxury hotel and conference venue, which will be the largest facility of its kind in the region."
It goes on ...
"A Foreshore Working Group, chaired by the Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor Iain Malcolm, was set up three years ago to oversee any projects for the area. It carried out extensive public consultation with local residents, sports, heritage and business organisations before determining that a high-quality hotel would be the preferred development option for the stadium site." More ...
But it appears as though many signing the petition are unaware that a public consultation took place, never mind an 'extensive one.'
Perhaps Councillor Iain Malcolm can explain if this consultation was the extensive one that was referred to here ... 'Last Call for Gypsies Green Ideas' ....in 2004 ... some 3 years ago!!!
"I usually hold my ward surgeries every Saturday morning 10 am – 11 am Horsley Hill Community Centre, Horsley Hill Square, South Shields and last Saturday of every month 10 am – 11 am Euryalus Court, Bamburgh Avenue, South Shields. Please check individual dates and times with Dorothy Willcock, Members Support Officer on 0191 424 7302 or at dorothy.willcock@southtyneside.gov.uk "
Democracy in action ... pop along and see him and ask about the consultation.
Friday 28 September 2007
The battle begins for Gypsies Green
Shields Gazette
28th September 2007
By Paul Myles-Kelly
A FIGHTBACK against the sell-off of Gypsies Green Stadium was launched today.
The Gypsies Green Action Group has been formed to oppose plans to build a £15m hotel and conference centre on South Shields seafront.A website address has been set up so people can log on and sign an online protest petition.And group members will be out in force with the petition on Sunday at the finishing line of the Great North Run on the seafront.
A website address has been set up so people can log on and sign an online protest petition.
And group members will be out in force with the petition on Sunday at the finishing line of the Great North Run on the seafront.
Meanwhile, a veteran protester has been brought on board to help guide the group's campaign.Neil Herron, chief campaigner of the Metric Martyr pressure group, has been advising members on how to proceed with their fight.
Dozens of residents gathered at the New Crown Hotel in South Shields this week to express their dismay at the hotel plans .
One of the group founders, Bill Hepburn, who lives near to the stadium on The Broadway, said:
"Gypsies Green is an asset to the town. It is synonymous with South Shields. "The 50,000 runners taking part in the Great North Run, whether they are from China or Canada, know that Gypsies Green is in South Shields. "We can't just throw that away. Once that view is lost we will not be able to get it back."
One of the suggestions mooted at the meeting was to upgrade the sporting facilities at complex.
Retired Mr Hepburn said:
"People are incensed at the blasè way the council is pushing this through."Do we really need a four-star hotel in the town? Is the clientele there for
a four star hotel? I don't think so."
Mr Hepburn also called on any sporting clubs that are interested in utilising the stadium – or have been blocked from using it in the past – to e-mail the group with details.
Work on the 104-bed hotel, housing one of the biggest conferencing centres in North East England, could start early next year – with completion earmarked for summer 2009.
Sale of the land to Tavistock Leisure Limited was agreed at a meeting of the council's decision-making cabinet in August. But the new protest group plans to present a robust case against the scheme when the council's planning committee debates the issue.
Mr Herron said:
"I think the protesters have a very good case, and I'm glad to be able to use my experiences in the past to help point them in the right direction."
To sign the group's protest petition log on to
www.gypsiesgreen.blogspot.com.
Last Updated: 28 September 2007 12:48 PM
28th September 2007
By Paul Myles-Kelly
A FIGHTBACK against the sell-off of Gypsies Green Stadium was launched today.
The Gypsies Green Action Group has been formed to oppose plans to build a £15m hotel and conference centre on South Shields seafront.A website address has been set up so people can log on and sign an online protest petition.And group members will be out in force with the petition on Sunday at the finishing line of the Great North Run on the seafront.
A website address has been set up so people can log on and sign an online protest petition.And group members will be out in force with the petition on Sunday at the finishing line of the Great North Run on the seafront.
Meanwhile, a veteran protester has been brought on board to help guide the group's campaign.Neil Herron, chief campaigner of the Metric Martyr pressure group, has been advising members on how to proceed with their fight.
Dozens of residents gathered at the New Crown Hotel in South Shields this week to express their dismay at the hotel plans .
One of the group founders, Bill Hepburn, who lives near to the stadium on The Broadway, said:
"Gypsies Green is an asset to the town. It is synonymous with South Shields. "The 50,000 runners taking part in the Great North Run, whether they are from China or Canada, know that Gypsies Green is in South Shields. "We can't just throw that away. Once that view is lost we will not be able to get it back."
One of the suggestions mooted at the meeting was to upgrade the sporting facilities at complex.
Retired Mr Hepburn said:
"People are incensed at the blasè way the council is pushing this through."Do we really need a four-star hotel in the town? Is the clientele there for
a four star hotel? I don't think so."
Mr Hepburn also called on any sporting clubs that are interested in utilising the stadium – or have been blocked from using it in the past – to e-mail the group with details.
Work on the 104-bed hotel, housing one of the biggest conferencing centres in North East England, could start early next year – with completion earmarked for summer 2009.
Sale of the land to Tavistock Leisure Limited was agreed at a meeting of the council's decision-making cabinet in August. But the new protest group plans to present a robust case against the scheme when the council's planning committee debates the issue.
Mr Herron said:
"I think the protesters have a very good case, and I'm glad to be able to use my experiences in the past to help point them in the right direction."
To sign the group's protest petition log on to
www.gypsiesgreen.blogspot.com.
Last Updated: 28 September 2007 12:48 PM
Local MP currently unavailable for comment
David Milband who is rumoured to be the MP for South Shields is currently unaware of the South Shields uprising over the Gypsies Green development proposals having been distracted with 'foreign affairs.'
It is reported in the Times of India that jet setting Miliband is all set to meet Hollwood heartthrob and UN goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie in New York. More ...
I am sure that he can't wait to get back to South Shields to engage with his constituents.
However, as he is a keen blogger perhaps you should all drop him a note by posting on his blog here
Gypsies Green Action Group spokesman on BBC Radio Newcastle
Spokesman Graham Hunt increased the profile of the campaign this morning with a very clear and clinical criticism of the council's proposals on the BBC Radio Newcastle Mike Parr Breakfast programme.
The council spokesman floundered and was forced to say that the current proposal for a grass roof for the five storey development may change post planning. He avoided the question of locating the development on another site, preferably a brownfield site and sidestepped the point as to which members of the public had been consulted, claiming that there had beed widespread consultation.
The absence of politicians supporting the proposals was significant. Normally they would be champing at the bit but perhaps they have had a shock at the level and speed of opposition.
The intention is now to maximise the profile of the campaign and get as many signatures as possible on the petition which can be signed online (see top right of blog) or a version can be sent by e-mail to print off and hand round.
With the Great North Run finishing line being yards away from the proposed development we are sure that everyone taking part in the event will want to continue to enjoy the uniterrupted views up the coast rather than a concrete desecration of the beautiful coastline.
Simply e-mail Graham Hunt for more details and a petition form ... huntghuk@hotmail.com
The council spokesman floundered and was forced to say that the current proposal for a grass roof for the five storey development may change post planning. He avoided the question of locating the development on another site, preferably a brownfield site and sidestepped the point as to which members of the public had been consulted, claiming that there had beed widespread consultation.
The absence of politicians supporting the proposals was significant. Normally they would be champing at the bit but perhaps they have had a shock at the level and speed of opposition.
The intention is now to maximise the profile of the campaign and get as many signatures as possible on the petition which can be signed online (see top right of blog) or a version can be sent by e-mail to print off and hand round.
With the Great North Run finishing line being yards away from the proposed development we are sure that everyone taking part in the event will want to continue to enjoy the uniterrupted views up the coast rather than a concrete desecration of the beautiful coastline.
Simply e-mail Graham Hunt for more details and a petition form ... huntghuk@hotmail.com
Thursday 27 September 2007
Public Meeting today at South Tyneside Town Hall
The proposals are to be discussed today before the Council at a public meeting which will take place at the Town Hall in Fowler Street.
The meeting begins at 3pm and GGAG members will be present.
The meeting begins at 3pm and GGAG members will be present.
Gypsies Green Action Group GGAG launches
At a well attended public meeting last night at the Crown Hotel South Shields the Gypsies Green Action Group was formed by the residents of South Shields opposed to the South Foreshore Hotel Development at Gyspsies Green Stadium, South Shields,
Over 60 people expressed their concerns at the lack of public consultation regarding the proposed sale of the land belonging to the residents and ratepayers of South Tyneside and their opposition to the extrusive development which will detract from rather than add to the amenity of the area.
Over 60 people expressed their concerns at the lack of public consultation regarding the proposed sale of the land belonging to the residents and ratepayers of South Tyneside and their opposition to the extrusive development which will detract from rather than add to the amenity of the area.
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