Public debate to be held over housing controversy

A public debate will be held over plans to build a new housing estate on a green corridor after a backlash from residents.

Newcastle City Council has agreed to stage an extraordinary meeting over the row surrounding proposals for a new 239-home estate in Newbiggin Hall after residents voiced concerns over the potential loss of green space.

However, the timing of the meeting has sparked concerns many residents will be unable to attend.

Liberal Democrat council leader Colin Ferguson said his administration would "look at all the options" for the development.

While the plans are yet to be approved, it has emerged the council has already struck a deal to sell a key strip of land to be used as an access road.

Residents, who have asked the local authority to designate the area as a country park, said the loss of the green corridor connecting Oulton Close to Newbiggin Dene would have a devastating impact on local families and wildlife.

The council confirmed the extraordinary meeting will be held immediately after the next scheduled full council meeting on 7 October.

But given the regular meeting would not finish until about 20:30 BST, campaigners are concerned the public may struggle to attend due to family commitments and travel difficulties.

Resident Megan Thomson-Stewart said the decision to hold the meeting so late into the night felt "completely intentional to reduce participation from councillors and to reduce the likelihood of a big public turnout".

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the current diversion of Stagecoach buses in Newcastle after 18:30 BST due to anti-social behaviour around Blakelaw would make it difficult for Newbiggin Hall residents to get home after the meeting if measures were still in force.

Reform UK councillor for Newbiggin Hall and Callerton Brian Moore, said he felt the timing of the meeting would "allow the council to guillotine debate".

Councillor Steven Rutherford, who leads the council's Reform opposition group, said last week that the special meeting would allow councillors to discuss the "clear appearance of predetermination" the land sale deal created for Persimmon's planning application and the "failure to protect a valued green corridor".

Ferguson said his administration would "look at all the options" for the development and he was satisfied "there is no conspiracy theory here".

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