Solar panel plans submitted to battle costs at Dunston Leisure Centre

Gateshead Council has submitted plans to install 300 solar panels to help power Dunston Leisure Centre.

The local authority's plans form part of a £3.7m contract to decarbonise Dunston Leisure Centre and pool and Blaydon and Primary Care Centre. It is also hoped the works will help contribute to the council's 2030 net-zero target.

According to council documents, the installation will be, pending approval, adjacent to the car park. A security fence would also be installed.

A design report, compiled by Newcastle firm Gradon Architecture, stated: "As Dunston Leisure is a profit making business, they seek to increase potential
revenue by reducing their outgoing expenditure on heating and hot water.
This proposal is subject to a separate planning application.

"The works aim to save the venue significant sums in running costs whilst also meeting carbon emissions commitments. This application covering the PV array aims to offset some of the running costs of the new Air Source Heat pump equipment."

In November last year, Gateshead Council appointed Greenwich Leisure Limited to fund its leisure centres in Heworth, Blaydon, and Dunston, alongside Gateshead International Stadium from April 2025. At the time, council leader Martin Gannon said the agreement would result in savings for the authority, which faces "extreme" financial pressures.

Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Pool were closed down by the council in 2023 due to budget cuts with the council saying it was facing a £34.4m deficit by 2030. Both centres have since re-opened under community ownership.

The move sparked community outrage among users and locals, who heavily criticised the council's financial management of the centres.