Blyth's new £14.7 million cultural venue was branded both "disgusting" and "beautiful" in a somewhat divisive meeting of Northumberland County Council's strategic planning committee.
The new building will house a three-screen cinema, facilities for a range of events such as live music and comedy as well as a café. But some members of the committee meeting on Tuesday voiced concerns that the design of the new buildings in the town's market place were not of a high standard.
Conservative councillor Ian Hutchinson said he could not support the proposals.
