Plans to enable approximately 18,000 new homes in North Tyneside are moving closer to adoption, with the council’s Reform opposition pledging to ensure “residents’ voices are heard”. The draft Local Plan will go before the overview and finance committee this week as part of the adoption process.
The plan, which includes earmarking green belt land for homes, aims to identify sites suitable for around 18,000 homes by 2042/43. The proposals have proven controversial, with residents concerned about the scale of development and the loss of green space.
Reform UK's position
The council’s Reform UK group stated: “As Reform UK councillors, we believe North Tyneside needs a local plan that puts the interests of local residents and communities first.
“We all recognise the need for good-quality homes, but simply building thousands of new houses is not enough. Development must come with the roads, schools, GP provision, drainage, public transport, parking, green spaces, and other infrastructure needed.
“We want to see brownfield and previously developed land used wherever possible before valuable green spaces are lost. Where development does take place, developers must be held to account.
“Promises about infrastructure cannot be allowed to disappear once planning permission has been granted. We also need to protect the character of our existing communities and make sure that residents who already live here are not left dealing with increased congestion, pressure on services, and loss of green space.
“Development should work for our communities – not the other way around.”
The Reform group said they will continue to scrutinise the plan and “make sure local residents’ voices are heard”.
Labour's response
A North Tyneside Labour Group spokesperson said: “This is a positive and ambitious plan that will deliver the homes our communities need, alongside the infrastructure to support them, while protecting our green spaces.
“Those opposing the Local Plan need to be honest about the alternative. Without an up-to-date plan, we risk losing local control and seeing unplanned development pushed through without the schools, roads, GP services and other infrastructure local people rightly expect.”
It is expected that the draft local plan will be sent to full council for approval by 2028, following further consultation and government approval.
