North Tyneside Council has approved plans for a 270-home development on green land off Killingworth Lane, between Backworth and Killingworth, despite strong opposition from residents and concerns about environmental impact.
Planning Committee Decision
The council's planning committee voted six to four in favor of outline proposals from Northumberland Estates on Wednesday evening. The decision comes amid a pressing need for new homes, with the borough currently having only a 2.82-year supply of deliverable housing sites against a requirement of 989 homes per year.
Resident and Objector Concerns
Thirty objections were lodged against the scheme, with the Killingworth Residents Association expressing horror at further development near Killingworth Moor, which already has substantial building plans. Concerns included added traffic congestion, loss of greenfield land, and pressure on local schools and healthcare services. Historic England also warned of harm to the nearby West Backworth medieval settlement.
Killingworth Labour councillor Paul Bunyan objected, citing fears of increased air pollution, loss of wildlife habitats, and the type of housing proposed. He noted that developers often reduce affordable homes after initial approval, saying, "Once this land is gone, it's gone."
Developer's Argument
Guy Munden, representing Northumberland Estates, argued that slow progress on other major developments like Murton Gap and Killingworth Moor justified the new plans. He stated that only 300 of 3,000 potential homes at Murton Gap have final permission, adding, "It is not a case of people sitting on assets and not building them, it is planning permission not being granted." The development includes 68 affordable homes, and Munden claimed it would make "no material difference" to A19 traffic issues.
Committee Justification
Committee member Willie Samuel supported approval, stating, "We have a housing need we are not meeting. The balance, in my mind, falls on allowing this to move forward."
