Fears green spaces will be lost due to new homes

Concerns have been raised about the prospect of almost 17,000 homes being built over the next 15 years with pleas to protect "incredibly important" green spaces.

North Tyneside Council's draft Local Plan calls for major new housing developments, many of which are in the area's green belt.

The Labour-led authority said it had listened to worries and had removed several proposed sites.

However, residents and some opposition councillors said their fears had not been allayed.

The plan is one that councils across the country are legally required to draw up.

Resident Peter Oliver told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was worried about an area near Whitley Bay's St Mary's Lighthouse.

"I think the green belt is very important and I think housing in the right place is very important, but this green belt from the lighthouse is incredibly important.

"And once you have lost it, it is gone."

Fellow town resident Gail Jamison, meanwhile, questioned whether there would be sufficient services to accommodate the new properties.

"Where are they going to put the houses and the GPs and everything that goes alongside families?

"We are already struggling with school places and various changes around schools."

The Conservative group leader, Councillor John Johnsson, dubbed the plans a "surrender document", adding "residents have every right to be angry that Labour has shown little willingness to protect them".

St Mary's Independent councillor, Judith Wallace, warned there was "huge opposition from residents and their objections seem to have been ignored".

More than 7,000 signatures were amassed across several petitions opposing the designation of areas throughout North Tyneside for potential development.

On Monday the council's cabinet signed off the next phase of the draft plan, which includes its referral to a scrutiny committee and further engagement with elected members.

Full council is scheduled to vote on the draft plan in September.

A six-week consultation will then be launched with responses submitted to government by December.

The council's own report into the plans states a "significant proportion" of the borough's green belt will remain protected.

Responding to opposition parties, a Labour group spokesperson said: "The reality is that North Tyneside must plan for thousands of new homes under government housing requirements.

"The choice is between a local plan that allows communities and the council to shape where growth happens, or leaving decisions to developers through speculative planning applications.

"Those calling for every site to be removed need to explain how they would deliver the homes local people need, including affordable and social housing, while meeting our legal obligations."

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