'Time for answers' on delayed £350m arena

The site of the proposed Sage arena and conference centre on Gateshead Quayside remains mainly empty

Council bosses have been told "it's time for answers" about a heavily delayed project to build an events arena.

The Sage complex on Gateshead Quayside was originally planned to open last year but construction has yet to start and the estimated cost has risen by £90m to more than £350m.

Ron Beadle, leader of Gateshead Council's Liberal Democrats, said: "Residents are rightly dismayed by the lack of progress."

A council director responded: "We continue to work with our development partners to finalise costings and funding."

The development is intended to replace Newcastle's Utilita Arena and sit between the existing Glasshouse concert hall and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

Developers say it will feature a 12,500-capacity arena, an international-grade conference centre with 17 suites, art exhibition space, bars, restaurants and new walkways and public spaces.

In June, the Labour-run council said it hoped to give an update on progress "later this summer".

'What's going on?'

A multi-storey car park in the Baltic Quarter has also been built to serve the development, but it is currently closed and gated off.

Beadle said: "[Residents] have seen £23m spent on a car park to serve the development which has subsequently closed.

"It is time for the council to clarify exactly what’s going on."

One nearby property owner, who backs the project, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The uncertainty around the ongoing works is making it difficult for Baltic Quays residents to sell their homes or, in some cases, even rent them out.

"After all, who wants to move into a flat with long-term construction looming over them?"

The plans include a 12,500-seat venue and new walkways around the quayside

On Wednesday the council said the scheme "continues to make progress".

Anneliese Hutchinson, the authority's strategic director for economy, innovation and growth, said: "Ground enabling works have been successfully completed including land remediation and mine grouting, meaning the site is ready for construction works to begin.

"Like any development of such magnitude, this takes time, and we will be able to provide further updates soon."

The scheme had previously been awarded a £20m Levelling Up grant and £3.5m through the North East’s devolution deal.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she was "absolutely supportive" of the development but was not yet prepared to pledge more money for it.