South Shields' The Dunes entertainment complex seeks expansion with new restaurant extension plan

South Tyneside Council’s planning department has received an application to expand the restaurant space at The Dunes entertainment complex in South Shields. The popular venue, located next to the fair and seafront, features a traditional amusements arcade, eateries, a bowling alley and a soft play area.

The new plans propose a ground floor extension to the existing Sambuca restaurant on site, providing additional seating, toilets and "70m2 of new internal floor space". The project aims to create a "direct link" between the timber decking area and the restaurant, with designs showing a rectangular box-shaped extension featuring entrance doors and ‘Sambuca’ signage.

The plan also includes space for around 11 tables with 40 covers, as well as a toilet and separate accessible toilet. A design and access statement submitted to council officials indicates that the existing timber decking would be removed and the new floor level would match the existing to "create one level throughout".

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The statement further adds: "The [extension’s] main walls will be timber panelling coloured black with a double glazed aluminium curtain walling surrounded by an aluminium fascia colour silver".

The land at The Dunes has seen previous planning applications, including proposals for converted shipping containers and an extension to create hot food takeaway units back in 2021. However, these plans were rejected by South Tyneside Council’s planning department in February 2022 due to health and obesity concerns, as well as objections from the council’s public health department.

A decision on the new restaurant extension proposals is anticipated following a period of council consultation. Public comments on the plans can be submitted via South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website until December 10, 2024.

For further details on the planning application or to follow its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0642/24/FUL.