Birtley Morrison development - pictures of area before work starts
Went to Birtley 03/03/13 and took some pictures in 15 minute period around 0900 (hosted on Photobucket) to show the state of the existing shop, rear car park and Gateshead Council Building Depot (used to be run by Morrison - but not the shopping firm)
But first some screen prints of images from Google Maps (again hosted on Photobucket) showing aerial view (the site area being central in picture, right of the field up to A167 Durham Rd being Council Depot with its own car park and storage area, the public car park area and existing white roof store building) and the position as at November 2008 - Somerfield still in occupation and trees around car park and building area
My pictures of 03/03/13
The Depot buildings
Stumps of removed trees
Seems that any recent "work" has been to remove the trees
Birtley Morrison development - pictures of adjacent area as at 03/03/13
Some pictures in 15 minute period around 0900 on 03/03/13 (hosted on Photobucket) to show the existing shopping area on the main Durham Rd in the immediate vicinity of the development
Not as grim as it appears as was Sunday around 9AM hence shutters in place
West side of Durham Rd - south of development
Part of Arndale House - east side Durham Rd , south of development
The units in former Co-op Building on east side Durham Rd directly opposite the development
Off the car park - Durham Rd shops north of development
and the Co-op store, east side Durham Rd, south of the development
Wonder how many of these survive the arrival of the new Morrison store
Your shot with the shutters, I'm afraid things don't get any livelier in Birtley on a Sunday with only the pictured Newsagent, Co-Op and occasionally, Savers actually opening on the day
I'm afraid Birtley doesn't really get much livelier at peak times either :nuts: Its the Detroit of the North East IMO, ghost town doesn't do it justice.
The black automatic toilet you can see on the photo's above has been removed. Further work is going on at the rear of the current unit and there's a date set for September for the junction improvements work that'll be required when the store opens (installation of traffic lights etc etc etc)
There's some junction work involves the rat run opposite the BP garage (between Sorrento and Yummy takeaways) will become one way and the junction where Morrisons will be, will indeed become a signalled junction
Morrisons, Durham Road, Birtley (Site Including And To The Rear Of Former Somerfield Supermarket) - changes to scheme
This on Gateshead Planning portal 22/08/13 as Granted
DC/13/00724/NMA
Proposed non-material amendment to application DC/12/00980/FUL to allow a number of minor design changes including; repositioning the pedestrian access from Beaconsfield Terrace, increased vertical clearance to footbridge, service road level changes, related retaining structures, introduction of atrium security shutters, relocation of cycle parking and details of off site highway works.
Land At Durham Road (Site Including And To The Rear Of Former Somerfield Supermarket) Birtley DH3 1DB
The date has been set for the start of work on a supermarket-led redevelopment project in the heart of a Tyneside town.
Work on the creation of a brand new 25,000 sq. ft. Morrisons Supermarket on Durham Road in Birtley is set to begin on September 23. The new store, which will replace an out of use Somerfield store and a former Council depot, is expected to create 250 jobs.
Contractors will move onto the site on September 8 to start preparatory works. This will include the closure of the car park immediately behind the former store. New car parking is part of the replacement development.
Developers Morbaine will be meeting with local businesses this week to discuss the project and any disruptions.
AND
Mike Kennedy, representing the main contractor Watkin Jones and Sons said “We are proud as a company to have been awarded the contract to build this prestige retail development and look forward to, once again, working in partnership with the developer Morbaine, who we have successfully worked with on numerous schemes, throughout the country, in recent years.
Birtley Morrisons Redevelopment -meeting of 04/09/13 at The Hub, Birtley
Reference the start date of 08 September 2013 noted in Gateshead Council News Release ( last post) have just returned from a well attended (30+ people including MP Dave Anderson, local councillors, ex local councillor, local residents and occupants of retail properties etc) and it was stated the date for commencement of the works is to be 23 September 2013 (provision of contractor's cabins etc 1 week before that date).
The 08 September 2013 date is for the closure of northern car park area.
Had meet up with personnel from Morbaine (developer), Main Contractor, Watkin Jones and Sons, project architect and project QS and following discussion with them including showing them what SSC site is about I seem to have set up a relationship that will allow me escorted access inside the site area to take progress pictures for use on this forum, on The Birtley Community Partnership website and for display purposes within The Hub Office - much better than taking snaps at arms length over the top of hordings or via small apertures, so many thanks for that facilty.
http://www.watkinjones.com/ website gives information about the firm, Head Office at Llandygai Industrial Estate, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4YH - they have worked on developments in Newcastle City centre including Melbourne St student accommmodation
The Hub being the office accommodation on Harraton Terrace, Birtley, Chester-le- Street, Co Durham of the Birtley Community Partnership whose website is http://www.birtleycommunitypartnership.org.uk/
More to follow in due course including
Photographs of the "display drawings" which give quite a lot of information of materials to be utilised on the project etc
Brief description of the works, programmed timing of events etc
I think this will be fantastic for Birtley and well done Ken on getting some contacts built in, how did you manage that one? We'll be having you in MI5 shortly!
I was asked by the people at The Hub (via private messages on SSC) to allow my photographs to be used on their website and in their office and it just went from there.
Having the Birtley people on board helped a bit but 38 years of dealing with construction professionals in a work capacity makes it easy to deal with a group of like minded people
Birtley Morrisons Redevelopment -meeting of 04/09/13 at The Hub, Birtley post 2 of 3
Follow up to post #47
Further information passed to those in attendance included the following scanned images and pictures by myself of displayed information:-
Notice of Car Park closure with good aerial picture of proposed development - to be displayed by others in as many shop windows etc to inform everyone
This picture from displayed information
Architectural drawings of the scheme, some "exploded" to show more information - thanks to Morbaine and Architect Gordon White Hood for allowing me permission to show these photographs of their work on here
Birtley Morrisons Redevelopment -meeting of 04/09/13 at The Hub, Birtley post 3 of 3
Post 3 of 3 this date
Follow up to post #47
Further information passed to those in attendance included the following scanned images and pictures by myself of displayed information:-
Architectural drawings of the scheme, some "exploded" to show more information - thanks to Morbaine and Architect Gordon White Hood for allowing me permission to show these photographs of their work on here (continued)
and Programme of the Works
Information passed verbally to those in attendance included:-
Phasing of road closures from Durham Rd so as to facilitate road works, sewer and service diversions - at all times maintaining access to rear of those adjacent properties
Access to site area for Contractor's vehicles to be from Station Lane into area currently ex Council Depot Yard
Demolition of Somerfield supermarket to commence early in programme
Piling work will be of auger bored type (no driven piles) and will include in region of 900 piles each approx 300 - 450mm diameter x a depth of approx 20m
Birtley Morrisons Redevelopment - Dave Anderson MP
Scanned copy of article on page 33 of The Chronicle dated 05/09/13 (reworked by myself due its length) - hosted on Photobucket
Dave will no doubt be following this thread, the one for Blaydon Town Centre (next to his constituency office) and the Gateshead Area Developments thread having been given links to this area of the forum by myself when I met up with him last evening
I find the entranceway on Durham Road a bit of a bizarre design. I can understand they probably didn't want to break up the streetscape but it's a kind of needless over-elaboration. It's not really going to fool anyone that there's not a massive supermarket shed behind it.
From what I recall, the development includes new land that wasn't attached to the supermarket (the old Morrrisons Construction Depot) which is set quite far back from the main road.
I think they also had to provide local businesses with some retail units and with the building being on stilts the car park underneath the building probably had an effect on design.
I quite like it and it fits in better with Durham Road
Despite press, the car park on Durham Road was still fully open and functioning this afternoon. I asked a council worker and he said it was all starting September 23rd as per above press releases. I assume car park date was a target and usual things kept it delayed
As scheme was scheduled to have started made a visit on Tuesday 01/10/13 AM to see what was in progress and took some pictures approx 1030 to show temporary fence in place to part of car park area, ongoing service cut offs etc (gas and what seemed to be street lighting in progress) and sign erected to Durham Rd elevation of former supermarket
Birtley Morrisons Redevelopment -minor alterations to scheme
This on Gateshead Planning Portal in week commencing 14/10/13 as "Granted"
DC/13/01162/NMA
Proposed NON MATERIAL AMENDMENT to permission DC/12/00980/FUL to allow a number of minor design changes including alterations to the elevations and roof of the Durham Road frontage units and reconfigured hard and soft landscaping areas (amended 19/09/13).
3 pages of information, drawings etc with this change and for once I have been able to open so as to view them
Planning seem to be using "Land At Durham Road DH3 1DB" without any reference to Supermarket etc for scheme so will have to keep a watch out for further applications under this title
The old council works depot has now gone. Demolished today.
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