A plan which sets out the framework for future growth in North Tyneside is set to move closer to reality.
The North Tyneside Local Plan is aimed at helping manage the delivery of new homes, jobs and infrastructure needed in the borough over the next 15 years.
It will give North Tyneside Council greater control over local decisions on future development – safeguarding against planning applications which could be wrong for the borough.
A Government-appointed Inspector has given the Plan the green light following an independent public examination.
The council’s cabinet will now be asked to recommend that the Plan is adopted by full council.
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and Transport, said: “As a council, we want to see North Tyneside grow and prosper, as long as it is the right kind of development, and the Local Plan will allow us to make sure of that.
“The aim of the Plan is to enable economic growth and regeneration while creating somewhere residents can live active, healthy and quality lives.
“Following the Inspector’s judgement that the Plan is sound, it means we now have a framework which is based on relevant and up-to-date evidence with a realistic level of growth proposed.”
Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn added: “I am delighted that the Plan has been given the go-ahead and I would like to thank the Inspector for his thorough examination and everyone involved for their hard work in producing this complex and robust piece of work.”
In a report to cabinet, members will hear how the Plan sets out a number of policies, including:
- Delivering an average of 790 homes each year to meet housing needs, based on the Inspector’s advice – 25 per cent of which will be affordable
- Supporting the creation of about 700 new jobs per year by identifying a number of employment sites
- Identifying new retail, leisure, office and tourist development
- Protecting North Tyneside’s Green Belt
- Guarding against, and adapting to, the effects of climate change
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Protecting and enhancing built and natural assets
- Managing and resolving flood risk and surface water drainage issue
The report also outlines how the Plan will ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the level of growth.
This includes strategies to regenerate North Shields, the coast and Wallsend, as well as the North West communities.
The Plan also seeks to secure sustainable development through growth, investment and regeneration while protecting Green Belt land and large areas identified as green infrastructure.
Following cabinet’s next meeting on 12 June, full council will be asked to formally adopt the Plan when it meets on 20 July.
The planning service is delivered for North Tyneside Council by its partner Capita.