South Tyneside College move to South Shields town centre approved

Councillors say the college's relocation will help revitalise the town centre in South Shields

Plans for a multimillion-pound college campus in the centre of South Shields have been approved.

The scheme will see South Tyneside College move from its base at Westoe, with the switch described as a "turning point" for the town centre.

South Tyneside Council also approved contentious plans for hundreds of homes to be built on the college's current site.

That decision was met with jeers by campaigners.

By a majority vote, the council's planning committee approved the college development on land between King Street and Coronation Street.

It includes the creation of a main building, a 140-bed student accommodation block and the refurbishment of a listed building on Barrington Street.

South Shields Marine School will also relocate to the town centre as part of the proposals.

'Thousands of people'

Council leader Tracey Dixon said: "This is fantastic news and a real turning point for South Shields town centre.

"Our regeneration ambitions have focused on diversifying the town centre and boosting footfall. This development is going to bring in thousands of additional people and a new sense of vitality."

Dr Lindsey Whiterod CBE, chief executive of Tyne Coast College which operates South Tyneside College and Marine School, said: "We're delighted that the college will be a key part in the regeneration of South Shields and we can't wait to see our plans get fully under way."

The campus will incorporate marine simulators, a teaching hair salon, cafe and landscaping elements including tree planting and a grass square.

The scheme is estimated to cost £51m and will be part-funded with £20m secured from the Department for Education and £8m from the council.

Almost 200 objections were lodged against the plan for homes on the college's existing site

The remaining £23m will come from the sale of the existing college site to housebuilder Avant Homes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Up to 260 properties will replace the college's "outdated" buildings off St George's Avenue, councillors heard.

That scheme has met with fierce opposition and 185 objections had been lodged.

Councillors and residents voiced concerns during Monday's committee meeting that the development would lead to the loss of 140 trees and road safety issues.

Its approval led to cries of "shameful" from the council chamber's public gallery.

Last month Avant Homes announced it had amended its plans in a move which would save more than a dozen trees including a popular weeping beech.