Public invited to view new cinema complex for Ashington town centre

Public invited to view new cinema complex for Ashington town centre

In preparation for a Full Planning Application for the proposed development of Portland Park Cinema and restaurants, Advance Northumberland is inviting the public to view the proposals and provide feedback on the scheme.

An in-person consultation event is being held at YMCA Northumberland in Ashington (North View, Ashington, NE63 9XQ) on Wednesday 17th July 2024 from 4pm to 7pm.

Advance Northumberland along with members of the design team including their architect, landscape architect, and planning consultant will be available to discuss the proposals and answer any questions. Feedback forms will be available at the event to provide comments.

Working on behalf of Northumberland County Council, Advance Northumberland has secured a significant commitment from Reel who are delighted to be part of an exciting cinema led development that will transform Ashington town centre. This project brings together significant funding from the government, Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland.

This period of public consultation follows a recent consultation exercise on the wider Ashington Regeneration Programme in May 2024. This new period of public consultation relates only to the proposal for the Portland Park Cinema.

The Proposed Development is for a new six screen cinema, two restaurant units, and associated landscaping, car, and cycle parking. The cinema is to be operated by Reel Cinema. A previous planning application for this site was approved in 2020. This permission has since expired, and the development now proposed includes significant improvements both physically and operationally.

Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council and Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities, Councillor Richard Wearmouth said: “The leisure plans would add to existing schemes like the £45 million new Northumberland College in the town centre and the new station for the Northumberland Line.

He added: “There is significant ongoing investment into Ashington, and we all want to see progress at Portland Park. We know there is a lot of interest in the site locally and hope as many people as possible will come along and get involved in the consultation.”

For anyone that can't make the event please visit the dedicated consultation website: https://dpp1.co.uk/portland-park-cinema to view the proposals (additional information will be added from Wednesday 17th July) and provide feedback using the comment box provided.

Alternatively, you can email comments to consultation@dppukltd.com. You can also post your comments to: DPP, Studio 015 Haylofts, St Thomas Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4LE.

Please submit your comments on or before Wednesday 24th July 2024.