Green light for plans to build 115 new homes

A NEW 115-home development has been unanimously approved by councillors despite police raising concerns.

The construction proposals will see the houses built in Wallsend and will form phase two of an ongoing project on land west of the A186 and south of the A191.

The project aims to deliver a total of 418 new residences to North Tyneside, with Persimmons Home North East originally given permission to develop the site back in 2018.

But Northumbria Police have warned that the proposed walls and fencing laid out in the designs for car parking at the site could render residents’ cars out of sight and vulnerable to theft.

North Tyneside councillors at this week’s planning committee were told by planning officer Aidan Dobinson Booth that vehicles would be visible from other dwellings within the plot.

Police also raised concerns about a footpath proposed in the phase two development.

In a letter, they claimed the footpath would create a “leaky cul-de-sac” which they said can see higher levels of crime than standard cul-de-sacs.

However, Mr Dobinson Booth said the footpath was needed to support sustainable transport and lessen the need for people to travel in cars.

Whitley Bay councillor John O’shea queried whether council officers felt there was enough housing provision for elderly residents in the borough as the site had no proposed bungalows.

He was told by the council officers present that the site had a sufficient range of house sizes.

Battle Hill councillor Julie Crudas said: “I will just say I will be supporting this application, although I do really have empathy with the police comments in light of the increase in antisocial behaviour that we are seeing.

“In terms of building sustainable and secure communities I think we do need to consider these things moving forward.”