Council signs off new housing plans despite claims families left 'crowded out'

TERRACED HOMES WILL BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF A DEMOLISHED PUB IN WALKER, BUT LOCALS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT IT WILL MEAN A LOSS OF PARKING SPACES AND A CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA 20:29, 20 May

2025 Newcastle City Council will build new homes on the site of a demolished pub in Walker, despite accusations from neighbours that that development is “unfair” on the existing community.

The authority’s planning committee has approved plans for six terraced houses on a patch of land between Church Walk and Airey Terrace. Proposals for the one-bedroom homes were signed off

last week despite the complaints of surrounding residents. Members of a Church Walk Residents’ Action Group, representing 30 nearby households, have warned that the small East End

development would take away space on their estate used for car parking and a grassy area where children can play. Objector Christine Moffitt told a civic centre hearing last Friday that the

council’s plans were "unfair" and will leave existing families “crowded out” and with “nothing” in terms of local amenities. She added: “We feel that, for the sake of six

individuals, the whole of this estate is being put to one side. All of our facilities are being put to one side for them.” The vacant patch of land was previously occupied by a pub, which

was demolished around 2006 before the site was grassed over. Council bosses say the new houses will be made available at social rent rates. Last week’s planning committee hearing was told

that the six properties will also have a first-floor study that could double as a small bedroom, and that they should provide capacity for people looking for starter homes or for older

people seeking to downsize. Labour councillor Paula Maines, the council’s cabinet member for housing, welcomed the development as a very small step towards meeting the huge demand for more

social housing in Newcastle. The city’s social housing waiting list currently stands at around 8,500 households. Coun Maines said: “I am delighted this has been approved. Six houses on the

site of a former pub are a great way of improving the appearance and use of the area. Each home will have one bedroom and a separate upstairs room that can be turned into a spare bedroom or

an office. There is huge demand for affordable rental properties like this in Newcastle – about half of those on our waiting list want this kind of home. Article continues below “Admittedly

we need a lot more of them but at least we have started and I’m sure many more like this will follow as part of the national drive to build an extra 1.5 million homes by the end of this

parliament. We are focused on building homes that match the needs of our residents.” JOIN OUR BREAKING NEWS AND TOP STORIES WHATSAPP COMMUNITY Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp

community for all the latest news direct to your phone. To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link

and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special

offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of

your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice. CLICK HERE TO JOIN