A Cullercoats ward councillor has spoken out against controversial plans to tear down a local pub.
Malhotra Leisure Ltd is behind plans to bulldoze the Sandpiper Pub and erect 18 apartments and three shops in its place.
If the proposals are given the go-ahead, the apartments and three retail units, one of which will be a Co-op Convenience store, will be built on the Farringdon Road site.
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A planning statement lodged with North Tyneside Council said that the Co-op would create between 15 and 20 new jobs with 50 jobs created during the build time.
It argued that trade at the pub has been in decline for the past five years and it is “no longer viable as a going concern”.
It said: “The proposals will also serve to redevelop a declining site, making efficient use of land and use of the existing access. The Sandpiper is no longer viable as a going concern.
“The public house has seen decreasing barrelage, trading revenue and profit year-on-year for the past five years.
“Recent development at Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, notably the borough’s flagship Spanish City development, have evolved the food and drink offer in the local area, and increased the competition faced by the pub.”
But there have been 142 objections to the scheme lodged on the authority’s website.
Objectors raised fears about the impact on traffic and the “tragic loss”of the boozer.
Coun Willie Samuel, who is chairman of the authority’s planning committee, said when the scheme comes up at the meeting he will give up his vote to speak against it.
He said: “I will be standing aside from my position as chair of planning for this application as I feel I need to oppose it as local councillor. It is a shame for the community to lose another local pub and that should not be overlooked, but my main concern is that this proposed development is quite unsuitable for the area.
“The proposed building is too high, and the number of residential units is excessive. It will also compound the traffic problems in the area. I will be submitting a detailed objection in due course.”
However the scheme has nine backers, with one supporter describing it as “perfect”.
North Tyneside Council is expected to decide on the proposals in April.
