Newcastle City Council has published its draft Masterplan for Callerton which sets out a new vision for the site and invites residents to have their say.
Working with a consortium of local developers, the council has shared its vision to create a sustainable new housing development of approximately 3,000 new homes on the Lower, Middle and Upper Callerton Neighbourhood Growth Area in West Newcastle, providing a desirable and thriving place to live.
The overarching vision for Callerton is to provide new sustainable communities that enhance the local area, are distinctive and have their own character and identity, integrate well with the existing communities and ensure that the landscape is a key part of the development.
The design proposals take into consideration Callerton’s history and landscape, show how the development will give long term benefits to the local community and the local natural environment, and how it fits with schools, transport, shops, open space and leisure facilities.
The sites will be enhanced through the creation of wildlife corridors, open space and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs).
Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, said, ‘’Our city is growing and the demand for new housing has never been greater. We need to ensure that we can deliver enough new homes for our residents and provide sufficient services and facilities at the same time.
‘’Our vision for Callerton’s future includes concepts for housing design, landscaping, open space, roads and facilities, which will all create a vibrant and integrated new community. The draft document sets out the look and feel for the development and how housing will be delivered, and it’s important that local people use this consultation to tell us what matters.”
In 2015, Newcastle City Council approved and adopted a new planning framework or Local Plan, known as the Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan, to ensure that Newcastle has enough homes, jobs and services to meet our communities’ needs.
The adoption of the Local Plan was a major milestone for the city, opening the way for the development of a number of new sites to provide homes for Newcastle’s expanding population.
Callerton was identified as a Neighbourhood Growth Area in the Local Plan, and this consultation is the next stage in the development of a new community on the site.
Cllr Bell continued: ‘’The views of our communities are incredibly important to us, and we want to make sure that people have plenty of opportunity to have their say.”
Four public consultation events have been organised where people can view the concepts and provide feedback, before the council adopts the Masterplan in the summer. Once a Masterplan has been agreed by Cabinet, planning applications will be determined in accordance with it.
Consultation will begin on 9 May for 4 weeks until 5 June 2016.