Opposition is building
PLANS to build new homes on the site of a former school have been met with objections from local residents.
The proposal led by Gateshead Regeneration Partnership outlines the intention to build 23 properties on the land of the former Rowlands Gill Infant And Nursery School on Sherburn Green.
Nine of these would be splitlevel four-bedroom homes on Sherburn Park Drive, which planners say reflect the ‘size’ and ‘style’ of the current neighbourhood.
But residents on the street have raised fears the new properties will negatively impact the existing community – including the loss of the sweeping view of the Gibside estate below.
Ed Price moved on to the street with it was first built more than five decades ago, and raised his three children in the area.
Son Phil Price, 49, lives at home with his father. Former teacher Phil said: “There’s been quite a lot of objections, but the contractors are just not changing their minds.
“When the school came down we knew something would be built in its place.
“What my dad and everyone else objects to is the design of the houses and the fact they are going to be so tall in comparison.
“It’s a lovely community with a beautiful view over the estate.” To date, the application which remains under consideration has received 35 objections on Gateshead Council’s website.
Retired former civil engineer Ed says residents have been meeting with local councillors to raise their concerns over redevelopment plans for the last couple of years.
Ed, 81, added: “We are trying to make a point the redevelopment should not be as dense as they are planning. It is not going to be very good at all.”
A spokesperson for Gateshead Regeneration Partnership confirmed the brownfield site has been designated for residential development in the local plan for several years.
They added: “We consider the number of homes proposed is appropriate and would help meet the growing demand for family housing in this area and the wider community. We have been careful to make sure that all design, density, privacy, distance and overlooking standards of the planning authority are met, in what would be a development of modern, energy-efficient three and fourbedroomed family homes.
“The proposal provides more private parking spaces than the council’s parking regulations require, and includes four visitor parking bays, while the four-bedroomed homes have over-sized garages.
“We can appreciate the concerns which local residents may have about construction within their neighbourhood.
“We can assure them that, if the project is granted planning permission, every possible step will be taken to mitigate the impact of the building work.”