Northumberland County Council's development company has been slammed by councillors over a "lack of progress" at a key development over the past eight years.
At a meeting of Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Local Area Council, representatives from Advance Northumberland delivered a presentation on the latest situation in its redevelopment of Bedlington town centre. But councillors were left unimpressed, with building work yet to start and just one tenant lined up for the four retail units set to be completed by summer 2023.
So far, the scheme has seen the construction of Bedlington's new Aldi supermarket, which opened at the end of last year - but councillors said there had been numerous "false promises" over the years leaving Bedlington families frustrated.
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The scheme had pledged to "comprehensively redevelop" a high profile brownfield site at the heart of Bedlington town centre, with the aim of improving amenities and repositioning Bedlington as a "retail destination". To that end, the scheme will see a new "retail terrace" in the market place on West End Front Street, comprising of four retail units and six apartments.
Advance Northumberland's project manager, Andrew Mowbray, explained that there had been a number of challenges that had impacted on the delivery of the project.
He said: "In two separate locations, a significant amount of asbestos was found buried. The final piece is being removed this week and the site will be tested and hopefully be confirmed safe.
"It has been a convoluted process to divorce the building that was due to be demolished from the Market Tavern. We've suffered from construction price inflation which has slowed us down. Post Covid, there has been a fall in the retail interest in the scheme."
Councillors were told that a lack of interest from retail businesses in the site meant that further, larger developments were effectively on hold. The one business that has confirmed it will be moving in is Greggs, which will be vacating its existing store nearby, which will then be demolished.
Coun Christine Taylor, who represents Bedlington Central, delivered a cutting appraisal of the update.
She said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked. I had hoped you were going to come and give us some more information on what is happening, not just an outline.
"I don't feel, in eight years, we've moved forward. The interest has just fallen away, people have had so many updates but there doesn't seem to be any progress. What is going to go in? Have you got anything to go into this development?
"Will the other three areas have buildings built on them? Or will they just be left derelict? I think it's really disappointing for residents who have had eight years of this. We don't seem to be getting any further forward."
Coun Taylor was told that efforts were being made to find tenants for prospective developments, but the market was difficult and until businesses came forward it would not make financial sense to proceed with construction - particularly given large retail units are usually specified by companies.
Coun Malcom Robinson, who represents Bedlington West, added: "I'm disappointed. At one point it was going to be 12 new retail units - that disappeared.
"There's going to be more houses than shops. I just don't see where we're going. You have to consider putting in what people want to see, which is leisure.
"Seven or eight years to get four shops when it should have been sixteen - it beggars belief. It is ridiculous. You need a plan B. The market is telling you plan A doesn't work."
Advance Northumberland's representative's explained that a leisure facility, such as a swimming pool, would likely have to be put forward by Northumberland County Council as opposed to a private developer.
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