Gateshead Council set to refuse housing scheme on overdevelopment fears

Gateshead councillors have been recommended to refuse a Low Fell housing application due to overdevelopment, noise, and flooding worries.

Gateshead Council's planning and development committee will convene on October 2 to decide on an application from AWH Homes Ltd for 13 homes on vacant land off Eastern Avenue. However, a council officer report has requested elected members reject the scheme for five bungalows and eight two-storey houses.

According to the council's report, the scheme is not acceptable for the following reasons:

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• A lack of public open space and children's play facilities due to overdevelopment

• A lack of "private amenity space" considering the scale of the homes

• The site "fails to demonstrate" environmental considerations

• "Insufficient information" on the impact of noise and vibrations from the nearby railway line on potential occupants

• "Insufficient information" on whether the development can be achieved without being impacted by flooding or could impact flooding elsewhere

In addition, the council's report also states that given the history of the site, it is "possible" the ground is contaminated, potentially by asbestos, from demolished former buildings. According to planning documents submitted to the authority by Origin Planning Services on behalf of the applicant, the site had previously housed a petrol station.

However, according to Origin Planning Services, a flood risk study commissioned by the applicant claims the site is low risk in terms of flooding. The firm also dismissed noise concerns and stands behind an assessment by the company NoiseAir which concluded that "design considerations" could mitigate worries. The report on behalf of the applicant also claims the environmental impact as a result of the development would see a biodiversity net gain of 25%.

Origin Planning Services' report stated: "The proposed development has been designed to the highest standard to ensure it would assimilate well within the local area therefore, we consider the scale, layout and design of the proposed development will positively enhance the local area and will provide high-quality homes which meet the needs and aspirations of local people and those who may wish to move into the area and would therefore accord with local and national planning policy. "

Councillors will gather at Gateshead Civic Centre on Wednesday at 6pm to vote on the application.