36 social-rent homes at Commercial Street, Brandon

What was proposed

The application sought 36 dwellings with infrastructure and landscaping, all affordable social-rent homes, including flats, bungalows and houses.

“The Proposals 11. The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 36 dwellings, and associated infrastructure and landscaping. The development proposes the following mix of dwellings: • 4 two-bedroom Tyneside flats; • 3 two-bedroom bungalows; • 13 two-bedroom houses; • 14 three-bedroom houses; and • 2 four-bedroom houses.”

“All 36 of the proposed dwellings would be affordable housing. The tenure of all 36 would be Social Rent units. All of the dwellings form part of the Council House Delivery Programme, which sets out to deliver 500 affordable homes. 13. The development would be a mix of a two storey building comprising flats, single storey bungalows, two storey and 2.5 storey houses. Each bungalow and house would feature their own private rear gardens.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.4-hectare vacant scrubland site lies within Brandon’s built-up area, beside allotments, a football club, homes and a public footpath.

“The Site 8. The site measures approximately 1.4 hectares (ha) of vacant scrubland and is located to the northeast of Brandon. The site previously contained terraced housing, with historic mapping indicating they were cleared circa. 1970-1980. 9.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, the parish council supported the scheme, and three residents objected to traffic, access, services, noise and dust.

“Coal Authority – Raise no objection to the proposed development. The information prepared by Solmek Ltd demonstrates that the application site is safe and stable for the proposed development. 24. Drainage and Coastal Protection (Lead Local Flood Authority) – Raise no objection, subject to conditions on the revised drainage and surface water management information submitted on the 16th of March 2026. 25.”

“Objection 44. A total of 3 objections have been received in response to the consultation exercise. The received objections raise the following concerns which are material planning considerations: • Increased traffic • Pedestrian and highway safety • Suitability and capacity of the existing road network • Suitability of the proposed access point from St Agatha’s Close • Poor visibility along Stack Garth • Pressure on local services and infrastructure • Noise and dust impacts…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and the applicant’s agent addressed members and offered to answer questions.

What members discussed

Members discussed access, alternative routes, footpath links, previously developed land, council housing and football-club concerns addressed through conditions.

“Councillor J Elmer noted the application was in his Electoral Division and was one he had been monitoring closely. The only element that had any issue was that road access, very close to the properties on St. Agatha’s Close, and existing cul-de-sac, and the increase in through traffic. He noted there was a track at the south of the site and asked if alternative access routes that may be more preferable had been explored.”

“Councillor J Elmer noted the proposals for DCC Housing was exactly the sort of application that was needed, he noted that the development within his Electoral Division was welcomed and with a local lettings policy, as discussed for the first application, was positive. He added that it was good use of previously developed land and he was also pleased as regards the concerns raised by Brandon Football Club being taken on board via condition.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Approval was moved and seconded, and the committee voted to approve the application.

“Councillor M Wilkes noted he could see no reason to object to the proposals and noted the site was previously developed land, unlike the previous application, and added that the development of Council housing, with two applications coming forward following work by the previous administration, was very positive. He moved approval of the application. Councillor A Schulman seconded the application.”

“Councillor M Wilkes had moved that the application be approved, he was seconded by Councillor A Schulman and upon a vote being taken it was:”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the stated conditions, internal transfers, an added football-club interface condition and amendments concerning ball strikes.

“That the application be APPROVED, subject to the conditions and internal transfers as set out within the report, and additional condition and amendments to Condition 29 as referred to by the Senior Planning Officer within her presentation.”

Minutes