Industrial and storage units at Discover Leisure PLC Portobello Road, Birtley
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Gateshead Planning and Development Committee on 9 Sept 2026.
The site
The site is a 0.54-hectare hardstanding parcel within Portobello Industrial Estate, surrounded mainly by industrial and commercial units.
“The site is a 0.54 hectare parcel of land covered by hardstanding which forms part of a wider site. In combination with the wider site, the site most recently operated as a caravan sales/ storage facility between 2012 and October 2024.”
“Portobello Road runs along the eastern aspect of the wider site, with mixed industrial/commercial units to the north, west and south. The wider area surrounding the site largely comprises industrial/commercial units associated with Portobello Industrial Estate.”
Officer report
Planning history
A caravan and motorhome sales and retail use was found lawful, while another industrial unit application remained pending consideration.
“DC/25/00083/CPE CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR EXISTING USE: The use of the land (as identified within the red line boundary on location plan L024097 - 110 Rev A) for mixed use caravan and motorhome sales and retail space (Sui Generis), with the retail element limited to the area shaded green on the same location plan (L024097 - 110 Rev A). Use considered to be lawful 22.01.2026.”
“DC/25/00940/FUL Erection of Class E(g)(ii-iii)/B2/B8 block with ancillary offices (Class E(g)(i)), together with external works and landscaping, and creation of a meter room (additional information 28.10.2025, 06.11.2025 and 16.01.2026). Pending consideration.”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the development would support employment and economic growth and accord with relevant planning policies.
“The proposed development would provide additional employment floorspace, investment and job opportunities therefore supporting sustainable economic growth and maintaining an adequate supply of employment land. The proposal is considered to accord with policy E2 the NPPF (2026) and local policy MSGP3.”
“The proposed development would create new planning units with uses that would fall within the Main Employment Area allocation. As such, the proposed development would be acceptable in principle subject to all other material planning matters being satisfied.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
The fire, police, gas and coal authorities raised no objections, although the Coal Authority sought conditions.
“The Coal Authority No objections subject to recommended conditions.”
Officer report
Public comments
No representations were received after the site notice and neighbour notifications.
“A site notice was displayed at the application site on 29 th April 2026, neighbour notifications were carried out in accordance with formal procedures introduced in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2015.”
Officer report
Committee decision
The committee granted permission subject to conditions and authorised amendments to the planning conditions.
“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
Conditions
Approved subject to 3 conditions, set out in the minutes.
Sources
- Gateshead Planning and Development Committee minutes, 9 September 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Gateshead's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Gateshead
- Date
- Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Gateshead committee decisions →
This committee's year
23 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.