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. Article continues below 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

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