Demolition plans lodged for old Department for Work and Pensions offices as developers plot next steps
Plans have been lodged for the demolition of the former DWP offices at Tyneview Park to potentially make way for hundreds of new homes.
House builder Taylor Wimpey has submitted a prior notification of demolition works as part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the Benton site. According to documents submitted to North Tyneside Council, the firm hopes to begin the 28-week project between April 1 and June 29 this year.
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: “A prior notification for the demolition of the former DWP offices in Benton has been submitted.
“The site is identified within the draft Local Plan for residential development, with an estimated capacity of around 220 homes. As plans remain at a very early stage, there is no further detail to share at this stage.”
The council’s draft local plan, which was open to a secondary public consultation until February 25, has proposed a number of locations throughout North Tyneside. The authority estimates it will need close to 20,000 new homes by 2042 in order to meet predicted population growth and lifestyle choices, ranging from more people living alone to an ageing population.
Councils are legally required to renew local plans to manage future developments. The draft proposals have sparked controversy with locals registering their complaints about the prospect of new homes on the green belt and concerns over infrastructure.
One petition amassed 3,915 signatures by January this year, with a particular focus on the proposed development of land across St Mary’s. Similarly, the councillors of Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South ward also jointly opposed the prospect of 55 new homes on land next to the Marden Quarry nature reserves.