Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Industrial Park
Planned Industrial Estate "needs" a new Metro station.
South Tyneside Council is preparing plans for a development that could sit on land north of the A184 Newcastle Road and west of Testo's roundabout.
It has been dubbed the Tyne Wear Park and could house up to 10,000 workers.
The idea has already courted controversy, particularly among residents, because the 240-acre site near the Fellgate estate in Jarrow is previously undeveloped land.
This goes against Government guidelines to develop what are known as brownfield sites instead of green-belt or farm land.
Sunderland Borough Council, in airing it's views as a "neighbour" states that the new industrial park will need a new Metro station, as well as cycle and footpaths to serve it. - Read more
The whole concept of developing this industrial behemoth on a greenfield site has already raised the hackles of many local residents, as well as contravening current guidelines on the use of green belt land. This is just one of a number of medium term plans that this Council of ours is considering, and which ought to be rethought. In the light of revenue forecasts and the ability to raise additional finances from the Borough's residents, it might be more appropriate to look at further development of a nearby brownfield site, the former (rather under-used) Monkton Coke Ovens. This site is already being slowly developed for business use and is very suited for the purpose, if it were to be reviewed and deemed feasible to enlarge it's capacity, then it is likely that much of the current protest would dissipate. Another advantage to using this site is it's very close proximity to the Nexus operated Metro line, a station at Mill Lane would obviate the need for additional footpaths and cycle ways .
We live in an age when the birth-rate in South Tyneside is falling and in future we will be caring for an ageing population, therefore it is important to develop a business park capable of employing 10,000 people, who will likely travel in to the Borough from outside. The success of any businesses located in the new park would bring in rate revenue to the Borough that we would be unable to gain from Council tax payers. Therefore it is vitally important to arrive at the right decision on this issue, the road and rail infrastructure is already in place, and grant aid is more likely to be available for a brownfield rather than a greenfield site, I would find it rather difficult to argue in favour of the Fellgate option.
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