Councillors have approved a "concrete jungle" of 215 new homes in Centurion Park, Wallsend - despite hundreds of public objections, a petition, and pleas from a prominent sports club.
357 residents publically objected to the plans submitted by Bellway Homes, claiming the nearby roads, especially Rheydt Avenue, will not be able to cope with additional traffic created by the new homes. Wallsend Boys Club also objected to the plans and claimed the plans would stifle the potential expansion of the club.
A Change.org petition, opposing the homes, amassed 1,420 signatures.
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North Tyneside officers informed councillors that traffic software estimated the new homes would produce only an additional 109 journeys in the morning and 108 in the evening.
Sandra Mason, acting on behalf of Bellway, said: "The report is thorough in its assessment, it identifies the valuable contribution this will make to the council's five-year housing plan.
"The application is supported by extensive assessments relevant to determining the scheme. It is significant that the highways authority in both North Tyneside and Newcastle made no objections.
"The assessment follows a robust process and methodology that has a standard approach that takes into account all the various factors."
Steve Dale, chairman of the Wallsend Boys Club, after the decision, said: "Obviously, we are genuinely disappointed, though not surprised."
Whitley Bay Labour councillor John O'Shea said he felt "uncomfortable" about the project and also voted against the Bellway proposal.
Howdon Labour councillor John Hunter said: "The situation up there is a nightmare, I'll tell you that for nothing. Shortly we will be living in a concrete jungle with nowhere at all for people to access sports."
A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: "Members of the planning committee approved the application for new homes at Centurion Park by a majority of six to three, having fully considered all comments, objections and supporting statements."
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