Gateshead council's planning committee has approved the construction of a new apartment complex in Low Fell.
Adderstone Developments Limited has successfully requested permission to construct a complex consisting of 16 two-bedroom dwellings, with ancillary parking on the site of the former Joicey Road School.
The complex has proved historically controversial. The planning application generated 67 objections in its original form back in 2020 on the council's website with only two in support.
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One letter of support stated the development would bring needed inward investment to the area. Several amendments were made to the scheme to address residents' concerns.
Concerns included increased traffic, highway safety, and impacted cycle access. Families also raised concerns regarding the apartments overlooking the nursery and dance school.
After amendments were made to the project however, 19 residents maintained their opposition to the project citing the original complaints had not been sufficiently addressed.
The committee was told council employees had been working on this project with the applicant for a long time and the scheme had been amended to their satisfaction. The planning department said they felt they were now able to offer a suitable and acceptable scheme.
Gateshead's Planning Committee support for the approval of the scheme was not unanimous.
Low Fell councillor and Lib Dem deputy leader Ron Beadle said: "The view of local residents is that there has not been sufficient amendments to earlier plans to explain why the recommendation is now to grant rather than to reject. Remembering the basis of overlooking concerns and conflict with parents and children using the nursery on the road, as we have heard, and a number of other concerns.
"Residents don’t feel that these reasons for rejecting this proposal have gone away. I will certainly be voting against that."
Low Fell councillor Daniel Duggan also noted his objections to the scheme. The application was carried through with nine votes in favour with four against.
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