Whitley Bay promenade demolition plans cause anger among campaigners

Campaigners have told of their disappointment after proposals to demolish a seaside promenade were included in a coastal regeneration plan.

North Tyneside Councils Cabinet has approved the 36m Whitley Bay Seafront Master Plan, which will act as a blueprint for the coasts transformation from the southern lower promenade to St Marys Lighthouse.

It has proposals for a 1m visitor centre at St Marys Headland, improvements to Watts Slope, refurbishments at the Spanish City Dome, landscaping and extra lighting.

It also includes the demolition of the Central Lower Promenade, which is to be replaced with a grassed bank and new sea wall.

This has prompted objections from residents who feel the site should be retained and its units refurbished. People also feel they were not properly consulted on the issue and many have taken to Facebook and the councils planning website to voice their opinions.

Last week the Boardwalk cafe was bulldozed despite a campaign to save it.

Tanya Card, 42, said: I have lived in Whitley Bay for 11 years and in that time I have seen nothing but decline, demolition and things closing down.

I believe that if the proposed demolition of the nearly 100-year-old Lower Central Promenade, making it into a grass embankment, goes ahead, it will be disastrous for Whitley Bay - adding to the slow death of a once vibrant town.

That North Tyneside Council cannot see the potential of these units as shops, cafes, art studios etc is shortsighted. They are just looking at short-term savings as opposed to the impact this could have on our town.

Resident Jane McIndewar added: As a Rockcliffe resident I would love to see all the units refurbished with cafes, restaurants, shops and some decent accessible public toilets.

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Whitley Bay promenade demolition plans cause anger among campaigners