Residents’ fury as ‘vital’ green space is lost for housing
Reporter A GREEN space at the heart of a Tyneside community is likely to be concreted after a controversial planning application.
Newcastle City Council’s planning committee gave approval for seven bungalows for people with learning difficulties to be built on part of South Gosforth Green.
Gordon Robinson, vice-chairman of the South Gosforth Residents’ Association, argued the green plays a “valuable role” in compensating for a shortfall of parks in the area and children and the elderly will not be able to walk safely or easily to other nearby spaces.
He also criticised an “incomplete, unreliable, and flawed” assessment by the council’s planning office, claiming the decision to approve the principle of developing the land last November was unlawful.
Civic centre officials denied their assessment was flawed and said the benefits of providing the supported housing outweighed any harm caused.
Mr Robinson claimed: “Officers pick and choose what policies to apply depending on what suits them. This has to stop.”
He added: “It is absurd to bulldoze on our green.”
Peter Cockbain, of the Newcastle Fairer Housing Unit, said that development would ensure that supported housing is accessible in all parts of the city.
The seven bungalows will be the first council homes built in Gosforth or Jesmond since 1981.
Kath Lawless, the city’s assistant director of planning, said: “Officers are acknowledging there is a loss of open space, which has been assessed against the correct policy. “I do not think this report is legally flawed. The application proposed to build on part of the open space. “The rest remains for the use of the proposed new occupiers and the existing residents but there will clearly be less of it. “The plan does include the enhancement of that open space.” “We believe the loss of the open space – when you weigh it up against the enhancements and the provision of affordable homes – is outweighed by the benefits.” The Friends of South Gosforth Green Space and the Green Party were among 73 objectors to the contentious proposals, while Save Newcastle Wildlife called the park “a vital refuge for people and wildlife in a busy, built-up area of the city”. Gordon Robinson South Gosforth Residents’ Association
However, the planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.
Coun Marion Williams said: “It is our responsibility to look after the vulnerable in our society and therefore when it comes to applying our policies for a site such as this we need to make difficult decisions.”
Deputy council leader Coun Joyce McCarty said: “People with disabilities have a right to live in nice places too and there is a chronic shortage of supported housing in this part of Gosforth.
“I recognise some residents are concerned at the loss of open space.
“We have worked hard to ensure the loss of the green space is kept to a minimum and the additional landscaping will significantly improve the remaining open space - making it a much more pleasant area to use, sit and enjoy.
“When you weigh up the loss of space against the need for specialist housing, the development will enhance the area and meet a real need in the community. The planning committee clearly agreed.”