Council to reconsider options for West Denton site

It follows concerns by residents that the development would lead to a loss of much valued open space near West Denton Community Centre on Hillhead Road.

The review comes just days before developer Tolent were expected to submit a planning application to the planning authority for 60 affordable homes and a specialist home for looked after children on the site.

Now the council wants to go back to the drawing board and seek a closer dialogue with residents before any decision is taken. It has not ruled out housing altogether but is keen to explore ideas of more open space and a possible play area on the site which it owns.

The review could lead to a new plan for the site which a developer would have to abide by if it had any hope of securing planning permission.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes, said: “Over the last few months I have received numerous letters and emails from residents who feel that their voices have not been heard.

“It is vitally important that the council listens to the concerns of all residents and so I am putting on hold all plans for this site until we have carried out meaningful engagement.

“One of our priorities is to see more homes being built across the city but we won’t do this to the detriment of existing residents. My message is clear; we will draw a halt to the plans for this site and engage with residents. We are in listening mode.”

The review comes after strong local opposition to the plans and a petition calling for them to be halted was handed into the council. The review does not mean there will never be housing on the site.

Cllr Forbes continued: “Council officers have been verbally abused and experienced some extremely unpleasant behaviour from some residents. We are aware of misinformation and rumour that has been circulating. We will not tolerate this, especially when our staff are simply doing their jobs.

“We are not completely ruling out housing on this site. We must provide new, affordable homes that meet the needs of local people – and as a corporate parent we have a duty to provide looked after children, who have not had an easy start in life, with somewhere safe and secure to live so they can reach their potential in life.

“However, by taking more time to consider proposals for this site we are much more likely to end up with a development that will offer something to the whole of the community.”

The site was once part of a playing field belonging to West Denton Middle School but when that became a primary school there was no longer the same need for a playing field of that size. A fence was erected around the primary school and the field became open space. Grounds maintenance was reduced due to budgets cuts and the land has remained largely unused ever since.

A nearby skate park was removed last year after it became damaged.

In 2016 the site was identified as suitable for housing in the evidence supporting the Housing and Employment Availability Assessment and that was consulted upon as part of the Development Allocations Plan.

Despite this, any application to develop the site would be subject to full public consultation and the rigours of the planning process.