Protests at green field plans

RESIDENTS CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT NEW HOMES BEING BUILT

HUNDREDS of families are backing a campaign to stop houses being built on a green field in North Tyneside.

Bernicia are putting together proposals to build 28 affordable homes at Castle Square in Backworth.

The site includes a children’s play area and is used for recreation by scores of youngsters and adults.

The developers say 70% of the open space at Castle Square will remain available for the public to enjoy and the new properties would help to meet the need for more affordable housing.

However, residents say no houses should be built there as the site is used by hundreds, and it would be a loss to the community. Around 800 people have signed a petition calling for the plans to be shelved.

Rebecca Hanson, a mum-of-two, said: “There are over 1,000 new houses being built around Backworth and now Bernicia want to take away the only green land that is left here. The field is used by so many people – children play there, people walk their dogs there, and elderly residents, including those with disabilities, also go there.

“We can understand that there is a need for more housing but why take the only area the community uses?

“For the sake of 20-odd houses, they are taking land used by hundreds of families for recreation. There is plenty of other land they could use.”

There are also concerns about the impact on traffic and wildlife. Residents say roads such as Backworth Lane are already congested and more houses could exacerbate problems.

Bernicia says they have been consulting with residents on the proposals and have already reduced the number of houses planned.

Jeff Boyd, assistant director of development, said: “We will be meeting again with residents in a public meeting to present our proposal to build 28 affordable new homes. After consulting with some residents in the summer, we have revised our original proposal from 42 homes down to 28 homes, meaning 70% of the open space at Castle Square will remain available for people’s continued enjoyment.

“This land is identified by North Tyneside Council in its Local Plan for housing development and our proposed scheme will contribute towards helping the local authority meet its target of building 3,000 affordable new homes. These high quality homes would either be for affordable rent or shared ownership, crucial in helping people to get on to the housing ladder or for families to move into.”

North Tyneside Council, which owns the land, says it cannot comment on the matter at this stage as any developments would be subject to the planning process.