130-home development at Land At Church Place Brandling, Felling

What was proposed

The application sought up to 130 homes with access, infrastructure, open space, landscaping, drainage and demolition of the community centre.

“Full planning permission is sought for the construction of up to 130 residential dwellings with associated access, infrastructure, public open space and landscaping. The proposal also includes the demolition of the existing Brandling Hall Community Centre located within the western part of the site. The demolition of the building has already been granted prior approval under application DC/24/00507/DEM.”

“The proposed development comprises a residential scheme including a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses arranged across the site in a series of perimeter blocks and streets. The development would include associated internal estate roads, footpaths and cycle routes, together with areas of public open space, landscaping and drainage infrastructure.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The 5.1-hectare site included cleared former housing land, grassed areas, informal open space, trees, community facilities and established walking and cycling routes.

“The site is irregular in shape and is currently characterised by a mixture of cleared former housing land and open grassed areas. Parts of the site comprise informal open space and grassland, including areas historically used as a football pitch, together with trees and areas of semi-managed vegetation. Brandling Hall Community Centre is also located within the western part of the application site.”

“Levels across the site generally fall from south to north, with the lowest areas located towards the north-western part of the site. The western part of the site includes areas identified as susceptible to surface water flooding and contains an established pedestrian and cycle route linking Felling Metro Station with the wider area.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Prior approval allowed demolition of the community centre, and the site had previously been cleared for housing as part of a wider regeneration programme.

“Application DC/24/00507/DEM – “DETERMINATION OF PRIOR APPROVAL: Demolition of community centre” relating to the Brandling Hall Community Centre within the site was granted prior approval on 12 July 2024. This approval permits the demolition of the existing community hall building which currently occupies part of the western area of the site and facilitates the redevelopment of the wider site.”

“The site has previously been subject to residential clearance and forms part of the wider Gateshead Regeneration Partnership programme for housing development.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was allocated for housing and the development’s benefits were not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by adverse impacts.

“The proposed development would deliver up to 130 dwellings on a site allocated for residential development within the adopted Gateshead Development Plan. The proposal would contribute to the delivery of new housing in a sustainable urban location and provide a range of house types, including family housing, together with affordable housing delivered as part of the wider Gateshead Regeneration Partnership programme.”

“Overall, having regard to the development plan as a whole and other material considerations, and applying the presumption in favour of sustainable development set out in Paragraph 11(d) of the NPPF, the proposal is considered to represent an acceptable form of residential development that accords with the spatial strategy of the Development Plan and the objectives of the NPPF.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most consultees raised no objection, while Sport England maintained an objection about information supporting mitigation for the former playing field.

“Sport England Sport England has been consulted on the application and subsequent amendments. As the playing field has not been used for organised sport for a period exceeding five years, Sport England is acting as a non-statutory consultee.”

“Sport England has maintained an objection on the basis that insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposal meets any of the exceptions within its Playing Fields Policy. In particular, concerns are raised regarding the justification and adequacy of the proposed financial contribution, the absence of a condition survey and detailed costings, and limited information on long-term management and maintenance.”

Officer report

What people said

Eight objections and one supportive representation were received, alongside concerns from the primary school and a football club about parking, open space, sport and community facilities.

“In addition, a representation has also been received from Brandling Primary School expressing support for the investment in the area but raising concerns regarding the potential impact of the development on local parking availability for staff and visitors.”

“An objection has also been received from Gateshead Football Club. The objection raises concerns regarding the loss of open space and opportunities for sport, recreation and community activities, and contends that the site could instead be utilised to provide community sports facilities, health and wellbeing programmes and a community hub.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers or additional information were recorded.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to conditions and authorised the service director to add, vary and amend those conditions as necessary.

“That permission be GRANTED subject to the following condition(s) and that the Service Director of Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport be authorised to add, vary and amend the planning conditions as necessary:”

Minutes