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A FUTURISTIC £30m business centre on South Shields riverside has been given the go-ahead.
Five hundred jobs will be created after South Tyneside Council's planning committee approved the four-storey, flat-roofed glass building at Harton Staithes.
The complex is to be the regional headquarters for the local authority's strategic partner, BT.
Committee members were told the development will help kick-start the regeneration of South Shields riverside.
Approval was granted despite concern that the building would block views to the riverside.
* What do you think of the BT 'glass house'? Will it transform the riverside, or be a blot on the landscape? E-mail us your views here.
Since a row of terraced shops was demolished in the 1990s, people have had a clear view across the river, but council bosses say the long-term aim has always been to build on the site.
And they have stressed the design of the building incorporates riverside views.
But objector Tony Purvis, of Harbour View, South Shields, said he is also concerned the complex will only have 40 car parking spaces.
He suggested moving the location of the building nearer the Customs House at the Mill Dam, to retain more river views.
He said: "I am very encouraged by the style and the purpose of the building, but what concerns me is the location and the inadequate proposals for car parking."
Veteran Progressive councillor Jim Capstick was unimpressed by the building, which he labelled a "glass house".
Coun Geraldine White, of the Independence Alliance, questioned why the application made no reference to incorporating facilities for the public.
She said: "There was supposed to be a cafe, a restaurant and bar, but there is no mention of that now. Have the plans been changed?"
Rick O'Farrell, the council's head of enterprise and regeneration, said: "Those aspirations remain. We are currently talking to one restaurant about moving to the riverside. This application is just the starting point.
"This is about transforming South Shields into a location for investment, to create new neighbourhoods and, most importantly, bring jobs. It's about kick-starting the regeneration of the borough."
Work is due to start next year on the creation of the New Shore Park, which will incorporate paved areas, new public art and footpaths from the town's Ferry Landing to the Customs House.
Five hundred jobs will be created after South Tyneside Council's planning committee approved the four-storey, flat-roofed glass building at Harton Staithes.
The complex is to be the regional headquarters for the local authority's strategic partner, BT.
Committee members were told the development will help kick-start the regeneration of South Shields riverside.
Approval was granted despite concern that the building would block views to the riverside.
* What do you think of the BT 'glass house'? Will it transform the riverside, or be a blot on the landscape? E-mail us your views here.
Since a row of terraced shops was demolished in the 1990s, people have had a clear view across the river, but council bosses say the long-term aim has always been to build on the site.
And they have stressed the design of the building incorporates riverside views.
But objector Tony Purvis, of Harbour View, South Shields, said he is also concerned the complex will only have 40 car parking spaces.
He suggested moving the location of the building nearer the Customs House at the Mill Dam, to retain more river views.
He said: "I am very encouraged by the style and the purpose of the building, but what concerns me is the location and the inadequate proposals for car parking."
Veteran Progressive councillor Jim Capstick was unimpressed by the building, which he labelled a "glass house".
Coun Geraldine White, of the Independence Alliance, questioned why the application made no reference to incorporating facilities for the public.
She said: "There was supposed to be a cafe, a restaurant and bar, but there is no mention of that now. Have the plans been changed?"
Rick O'Farrell, the council's head of enterprise and regeneration, said: "Those aspirations remain. We are currently talking to one restaurant about moving to the riverside. This application is just the starting point.
"This is about transforming South Shields into a location for investment, to create new neighbourhoods and, most importantly, bring jobs. It's about kick-starting the regeneration of the borough."
Work is due to start next year on the creation of the New Shore Park, which will incorporate paved areas, new public art and footpaths from the town's Ferry Landing to the Customs House.