Proposed revisions to the city’s plans that will shape future development are to be set out before the public in a 12-week consultation exercise from 20 June to 13 September.
The One Core Strategy and Urban Core Action Plan, a 20-year plan for economic development, transport, the environment and housing in Newcastle and Gateshead to 2030, is proposed for extensive modification following input from 15,000 residents in an initial consultation last year.
The council has listened to residents, considered new evidence including revised population projections from the Office for National Statistics and proposes to consult the public on amendments made to the original draft.
All alternative options suggested by the public will be considered along with comments at previous consultations. The council’s first phase of housing estimates was based on population projections published in 2010. Since then the Office for National Statistics has published new projections in 2012 which we will use to reassess our proposals alongside new information on Census figures due in July and economic projections.
We are undertaking further work to finalise the numbers but plan to maintain our working age population and eventual housing numbers will reflect that objective.
Major changes include the removal of the Salters Lane sites in Gosforth and a significant downscaling of sites in the Outer West of the City. Proposals to be consulted upon include the removal of the following sites from those earmarked for housing:
A further full review will take place in the autumn, which will also look at changes in government policy and new government population figures.
We want to hear residents’ views on the proposed changes before we redraft the plans. There are a number of ways people can have their say: www.newcastle.gov.uk/haveyoursayonplanning
Alternatively people can visit: http://onecorestrategyng-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal or fill in a form in the latest edition of the council’s residents’ magazine, Citylife.
Cabinet member for Quality of Life, Councillor Henri Murison, said: “The children growing up in our schools today will need jobs, as well as a decent choice of homes to live in. We need to make these decisions on the way forward now, to meet the needs of this next generation."
“We know from talking to the public that they support the need for good housing, better roads for bikes and buses, new shops and parks that give them a great quality of life. But against this we must also balance protection of the greenbelt and wildlife corridors, which is why the Salters Lane site will stay in the greenbelt.”
“We will continue to consult the public to generate further conversations before any decisions are taken.”
“We will also be looking at changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, which make it more challenging for us to focus development on brownfield sites. We will also have to take proper account of new population figures.”
“We’ve had a tremendous response from the public but I would urge anyone who has not got involved to do so as the council does not have all of the answers. We have listened and acted on what residents have said so far by bringing forward a £25 million Future Homes Fund to build on brownfield.”
Page last updated: 20 June, 2012
