The saga of a fire ravaged Whitley Bay church could soon be drawing to a close as plans to tear its ruins down have been submitted.
Trinity United Reform Church, on Esplanade Place was badly damaged in a fire in May 2017.
Some weeks after the incident, a demolition team arrived in the area and fences were erected around the site.
Signs were put up warning people that demolition work would take place, however the building still remains standing.
After a second blaze, last June, ward councillor John O’Shea called for it to be flattened, warning that it could result in deaths if the structure was allowed to remain standing.
Since then North Tyneside Council attempted legal action against the owner but this was appealed.
Proposals to demolish the church and build 28 flats on the site were thrown out in July 2021 after the applicant refused to pay tens of thousands of pounds in Section 106 contributions required by the council.
Now, a new application to demolish the building has been submitted.
North Tyneside Council has yet to decide on the application to demolish the church, but Coun O'Shea expects the building to be flattened in coming months.
Coun O’Shea said: “It is fantastic news for local residents and businesses. I anticipate that it will be demolished in the next couple of months.
“I expect that it will be redeveloped for housing. I would welcome some development on the site.”
Documents submitted to North Tyneside Council said the fenced-off building is “structurally unsound” and has become blighted by vandalism.
