New homes schemes are supported

DOZENS of new homes are will be built in Newcastle after three development plans won the backing of council bosses.

Newcastle City Council’s planning committee rubberstamped plans to construct 48 new properties south of Roundhill Avenue in Blakelaw on Friday morning.

Each of the new houses, to be built by the Home Group, will be classed as affordable and planning committee chair Hazel Stephenson said the development was sorely needed.

Coun Stephenson said: “I think it is something to be commended, that we are investing in new homes for our residents and people who want to get on the property ladder.”

Coun Marion Williams questioned why the prospect of the homes being affordable was sufficient justification to approve the loss of open space in the area.

Kath Lawless, the authority’s assistant director of planning, said that the council had to carry out a “balancing act” between the loss of land and the benefits of new, affordable homes.

The committee also approved two new housebuilding schemes in the Kenton ward - for 21 houses on land to west of Reestones Place and 25 west of Hartburn Walk.

Planning committee member and Kenton councillor Stephen Lambert said: “I welcome these developments, affordable housing is desperately needed in our area. It will also help to regenerate the Kenton Bar area.”