More than 60 new affordable homes have been approved for construction on derelict land in Saltwell, Gateshead.
Gateshead Council's planning committee approved a proposal for 62 homes spread over five parcels of land bounded by Hyde Park Street, Brighton Road, Westminster Street, Dunsmuir Grove and Rectory Road. The land had previously been home to Tyneside flats, shops and a community centre but these were all demolished with the last homes taken down in 2016.
A total of 42 homes will be managed by an affordable rental housing provider and the remaining 20 will be a mix of right-to-buy and shared ownership properties. Twenty homes have been allocated to Gateshead's growing Jewish community.
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Saltwell councillor Denise Robson said: "I think it is great to be able to see new possibilities and a new mix of people moving in, people who will help support the community. I know the original proposal had some designated homes for the Jewish community.
"I think that is really positive and now we need to focus on community relations to make sure that no tensions arise. In a vibrant community, things are always developing and that's a positive.
"We will see new successes and challenges and that is how communities should be."
Cabinet member for housing, councillor John Adams said: "I am very happy about this. We have been pushing this for some time.
"It has been tricky, the land has needed lots of money spent on it to make it suitable for housing. I am particularly happy it is affordable housing, it is unusual to see a development with 100% affordable housing, proper homes, with gardens.
"We don't have much social housing in this part of Bensham. I think it is all good news.
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"Twenty homes are for members of the Jewish community, which is growing and has housing needs. I am happy about that."
The council had received six letters of objection from residents concerned about the loss of green and play space and the loss of car parking spaces. However, council officers claimed traffic studies concluded there would be no detrimental decrease in parking provision in the area.
Officers also claimed the loss of green space and no play park provision in the development was not a ground for refusal as there is a park to the west of Brighton Road.
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