270 homes at Land Adjacent To Killingworth Lane, Killingworth

What was proposed

An outline application sought up to 270 homes, with access submitted for approval and other detailed matters reserved for later.

“Proposal: Outline planning application (all matters reserved except access) for the erection of up to 270 dwellings and associated access, landscape and infrastructure.”

“Description of the Proposal 3.1 Outline planning permission is sought for the erection of up to 270 dwellings, with all matters reserved except access. The application originally sought outline permission for up to 300 dwellings, but this was later amended and revised plans submitted.”

Officer report

The site

The site is agricultural land beside Killingworth Lane, with hedgerows, a drainage ditch and a Scheduled Monument within its boundary.

“Description of the Site 2.1 The site to which the application site relates comprises approximately 22.78 hectares of agricultural land located adjacent to Killingworth Lane, Killingworth, to the north of the built‑up edge of the existing settlement. The land consists of four fields, two in arable use and two in grazing pasture, separated by hedgerows. A drainage ditch runs north–south along the western side of the site.”

“The site is designated as Safeguarded Land in the North Tyneside Local Plan. It is bordered by the B1317 (Killingworth Lane) to the east and the B1322 (Backworth Lane) to the north. The land on the opposite side of Backworth Lane to the north is designated Green Belt (Local Plan).”

Officer report

Planning history

Earlier permissions relate to housing and infrastructure on land south of the site, including a later variation of conditions.

“Relevant Planning History Land to the South of the Site: 19/01095/FULES - Hybrid application comprising: Full planning permission for the change of use of agricultural land and development of 432 no. residential dwellings (including affordable housing), highway improvements and associated infrastructure and engineering works, creation of a new access from the A19 Interchange, SUDS, landscaping and open space, and other ancillary works.”

“24/01675/FULES - Variation of conditions 1 (approved plans) to include changes to the phase 1 layout, 15 (link road), 39 (drainage scheme), 43 (play area), and 77 (biodiversity net gain and outline area) of planning approval 19/01095/FULES – Approved 11.25.25”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because housing benefits and mitigation outweighed the policy conflict from developing safeguarded land.

“Conclusion 15.1 In reaching a decision on this application, Members must consider the overall planning balance, having regard to the NPPF and the Local Plan taken as a whole. The proposal represents development on land designated as Safeguarded Land under Policies S1.7 and DM1.8, and the scheme does not preserve the open character of the site. This constitutes a clear policy conflict.”

“When balanced against the identified policy conflicts, the benefits of the proposal, particularly in light of the Borough’s housing land supply position, are judged to outweigh the harm, and officers consider the scheme acceptable in overall planning terms.”

Officer report

Consultees and residents

Consultees generally supported development subject to safeguards, while residents objected over environmental, transport, infrastructure, heritage, drainage and land-stability impacts.

“Planning Policy and Principle of Development - The site is not allocated for development within the Local Plan. - The land is designated as “Safeguarded Land”, and should remain open for the duration of the plan period. - Conflict with the Local Plan strategy. - Development considered unjustified and unsustainable, with insufficient evidence of need. - Strong views that brownfield land should be prioritised over greenfield sites.”

“Heritage, Archaeology and Waggonways - The site forms part of historic landscape features, including medieval plots and historic waggonways. - Impact on heritage assets, including West Backworth Medieval Village (Scheduled Monument) and its setting. - Potential harm to nearby conservation areas. - Requirement for Scheduled Monument Consent and appropriate heritage safeguards. - Development will lead to further erosion of historic character in the area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A councillor spoke against the application, while the applicant’s representative spoke in support.

What members discussed

Members considered housing land supply, protection and management of the historic site, education, healthcare and traffic.

“Members of the Committee asked questions of the speakers and officers and made comment. In doing so, the Committee gave particular consideration to:”

“The current land supply position in North Tyneside, • Requirement to protect a historical site and how this would be managed, • Availability of education provision and healthcare, • Traffic considerations.”

Minutes

The vote

Six members supported the officer recommendation and four opposed it.

“Based on the considerations of the Committee, the Chair proposed acceptance of the officer’s recommendation of minded to grant the application subject to a S106 legal agreement.”

“On being put to the vote, 6 Members voted for the recommendation and 4 Members voted against.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was permitted subject to the report’s conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement.

“Resolved that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the report and a S106 legal agreement.”

Minutes