Homes are approved by council
HOUSING plans for a North Tyneside “mega estate” have been given the green light by development chiefs.
However, the latest scheme has proposed just a fraction of this, with permission granted by North Tyneside Council (NTC) for 310 to be constructed at Rake House Farm, in Rake Lane.
But decision-makers insisted they were forced to hold their noses while granting consent for work to go ahead.
“The local plan came about after years of protracted discussions, consultations and negotiations, before it was approved,” Coun Frank Lott told NTC’s Planning Committee. “We’ve been told to meet a target for the number of homes built and we have to do that responsibly.
“We have the [national planning policy] and we have the local development plan, this proposal complies with both [and if we turn it down] there’s no doubt the applicant would appeal.
“To refuse is to postpone swallowing a bitter pill – we would all prefer to see green space preserved, but if we have to do it, I would prefer to do it now.”
The application, by Northumberland Estates, proposed a mixture of two, three, four and five bedroom homes.
The planning document has also envisaged:
■ A new Metro station
■ A bypass road between Monkseaton and Shiremoor
■ A new primary school
However, while the need for homes in the borough was accepted, some on the panel said they could not accept the proposals as presented, with particular concerns raised over the loss of green space and its potential knock-on effect for wildlife.
Coun John O’Shea said: “My issue is around the types of housing...I’ve looked at the local housing needs assessment and I’m talking about the number of elderly people and I’m a bit concerned about the number of two-, three – and four-bedroom houses, with no provision for our elderly where there is a need.”
Despite Coun O’Shea’s concerns, the application was approved.