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

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

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.

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.