A quiet life but for the Gypsies and Angelina Jolie

As if things weren't hectic enough!

Last week I was contacted by a group of South Shields residents (two of whom were former neighbours) to see if I could help them resist a proposed development which would create a blot on the landscape in South Shields. The Shields residents smelled a rat when they found out that the Gypsies Green Stadium running track had been provisionally sold by the council, without a great deal of public consultation to a developer who wished to build a five storey hotel block.

Rumour also has it that there may also be a conflict of interest with one of the senior South Tyneside members.

As a property developer myself I was keen to see what was proposed but when you consider that the uninterrupted views of the coastline at the terminus of the Great North Run - currently unhindered by the sunken stadium - were in line to be replaced by a five storey hotel block, then the sympathy went immediately to the residents.

It appeared, yet again, that here was a council looking at a short term finacial gain and prepared to ride roughshod over the views and concerns of local residents.

I agreed to turn up to what turned out to be a very well attended public meeting at the New Crown Pub and gave them a hand to start the campaign. Anyone wishing to support their very worthy cause can visit Gypsies Green to sign the petition and follow events.

So far local MP David Miliband (looking every inch the playboy) who is rumoured to have once visited South Shields is currently distracted.

Oh, and why the picture of Angelina Jolie?

Well, it is reported in the Times of India that jet setting Miliband is all set to meet Hollwood heartthrob and UN goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie in New York. More ...

I am sure that he can't wait to get back to South Shields to engage with his constituents rather than making a Brad Pitt of himself.

However, as he is a keen blogger, perhaps you should all drop him a note by posting on his blog here.

Meanwhile, the Gypsies Green Action Group were top of the news in the press and the broadcast media today and with the Great North Run this weekend the hard copy petition should do well.