08 Jul 2013, 3:13 pm
The scheme will comprise 450 homes, a quarter of which will be affordable, as well as local community facilities including a shop and a surgery.
The proposals had been refused by North Tyneside Council last year despite the Council's planning officers having recommended that the scheme be approved. Its reasons for refusal included that the development would lead to a loss of open space and that building on a greenfield site would be contrary to local policy.
The SoS said in his decision letter (110-page / 654KB PDF) that the Council had reviewed its position and that it was now of the position that the scheme should be granted planning permission.
Pickles noted that the Council and the developer agreed that the Council was not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). He said that, because he considered the proposed development to be sustainable, the NPPF's presumption in favour of sustainable development would apply.
The benefits of the scheme would include a boost to the Council's supply of housing, including "much-needed" affordable housing, as well as economic benefits in the form of the jobs the scheme would generate, the SoS concluded.
