Planners Agree On Greenbelt

COUNCIL planners in Northumberland have agreed not to campaign against moves to earmark a large tract of countryside north of Newcastle for major industrial and housing development.

   Blyth Valley Council strongly opposed the plans to allocate more than 200 acres of greenbelt land north of Gosforth as a site for major business development, using finance from inward investment, aimed at creating 10,000 jobs.

   Newcastle City Council's so-called Northern Development Area was also intended as a site for up to 2,500 new houses.

   Blyth Valley objected on the grounds that the proposals would swallow up valuable greenbelt land, and threaten potential employment and housing development in Cramlington.

   A year ago the city council's unitary development plan - which maps out the future of Newcastle for 15 years - was approved by planning inspector Richard Hollox following a seven-month public inquiry costing £600,000.

   City councillors recently agreed changes to the plan which include a ruling that the industrial site must be reserved for no more than three large companies to avoid piecemeal development.

   They also want the release of greenbelt land near Newcastle Airport for housing to be carefully phased, with available sites in the inner city built on first.

   Planners in Blyth Valley, along with other objectors to the original UDP, are being given the chance to oppose the amendments in a fresh consultation period. But the borough planning and development services committee agreed a further objection could be counter-productive.

   All objections or statements of support for the amended plans must be lodged with the city council by November 24.

David black

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