State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has expressed her disappointment after the Old Wallsend Fire Station was secretly put back on the market over the weekend.
Last month the Minister for Emergency Services advised he was taking the old Fire Station off the market after it was revealed that a number of community groups had expressed an interest in repurposing the site.
The Fire Station was relisted for sale over the weekend without any consultation with Ms Hornery or the community groups who had expressed an interest.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“This is a truly despicable act by the Minister and this Government, going back on their words from last month.”
“In March the Minister said he had listened to the community and was withdrawing the building from sale and would consult on a future use.”
“The Minister hasn’t contacted me or my office or any of the community groups who had expressed an interest in the old Fire Station site.”
“The Minister has shown how little he actually cares about the issues that local MPs raise with him.”
“When he felt under pressure last month from some negative media, he backflips on the sale, but now that the issue is no longer in the spotlight, he has shown his true colours and put the site back up for sale.”
“The old Wallsend Fire Station in Devon Street has been a part of the Wallsend landscape for more than 90 years.”
“I feel sorry for the local community groups who had some great ideas for the old building. The Minister has been utterly disrespectful in the way he has dealt with this matter.”