Scores of objections to homes
PROPOSAL FOR 565 HOUSES CONCERNS RESIDENTS
MORE than a hundred angry residents have slammed plans to build 565 new homes in North Tyneside.
Bellway Homes is behind plans for 565 houses of the massive Killingworth Moor development.
The houses would be built on land earmarked for the delivery of 2,000 new homes in the coming years, making it the second largest development site in North Tyneside.
If the plans go ahead a mixture of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes will be built on the site, with 57 of these classed as affordable housing.
However, residents aren’t happy and have so far lodged 102 objections to the proposals.
They have raised fears about traffic, loss of open space and wildlife habitat and environmental impact.
One objector warned of “devastation of the habitat of deer, badgers, grey partridge, hedgehogs, bats (protected) and many species of birds.” The objector also claimed the proposed wildlife corridor is a “token gesture, as no discernible wildlife will remain”.
Another argued that the adjacent B1317 can’t take the extra traffic that will be generated by the development. They wrote: “The road is already over capacity...and will be significantly impacted by the Killingworth Moor developments.”
Another wrote: “Killingworth is losing beautiful green space that has local historical interest, and its own identity is being swallowed up and becoming an urban mass of houses with no distinction between other
local areas. Wildlife will suffer and disappear with the loss of their natural habitat. Hedgehogs have already become fewer in number locally over the last couple of years.”
Another said that the scheme will see land currently used for exercise vanish.
A spokesperson for Bellway said: “As a responsible developer, we always look to limit the impact of construction works on local residents. As part of our planning application we, of course, will consider the impact the development will have on nearby residents.
“The safety and well-being of our staff, subcontractors and residents is a top priority. Should any local issues arise with traffic accessing the site, residents are encouraged to contact the site management team, who will be able to address any problems.”
The spokesperson also outlined how traffic would access the site, saying: “The proposed plan is for access to the site to be from Moorfield Drive to the north and Forest Gate to the south. The existing Great Lime Road/Forest Gate signalised junction would be improved.
“During the planning process we will be guided by the local authority’s highways department and its input will determine the detail of access points.”
They company also said that the scheme would bring much-needed homes and jobs to the area, with the spokesperson adding: “If the planning application is approved, the development will bring muchneeded quality homes to Killingworth to complement our recently completed Stephenson Park development and our existing site at
Moorfields. Our proposals for the first 565 homes at Killingworth Moor would include a proportion of affordable homes. These are currently proposed as two- and threebedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows, which we believe satisfy local needs.
“In addition, the development would deliver significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 96 direct and 145 indirect jobs per annum across the build period, through construction roles or other occupations linked to housebuilding. The development would contribute an estimated additional £3.7m per year in spending power associated with new residents, of which £2.4m is anticipated to be spent in shops and services in North Tyneside. Council Tax receipts of approximately £910,000 per annum are anticipated, with £3.6m in New Homes Bonus payments.
“The plans also include public open space.”
North Tyneside Council could decide on the application by the end of this month.