Many local residents from across my constituency have contacted me to express their strong concerns about Newcastle City Council’s ‘One Core Strategy’ consultation on where future housebuilding and development could and should take place across our city. The purpose of these proposals – developed jointly between Newcastle and Gateshead Councils – is to ensure that our area has the type of appropriate development it needs in the coming decades to grow and remain competitive with other areas, whilst also seeking to protect the natural environment.
I believe that the priority for any future housebuilding or development should always be on brownfield sites, rather than the greenbelt – with open spaces (whether agricultural land, nature reserves or inner city green areas) remaining protected wherever possible. Any new developments that do take place should be appropriate and absolutely must factor in the need for improved infrastructure and facilities in affected areas. These are the views I have already very clearly expressed to the Council on this issue, and indeed will continue to do so.
I am also currently in the process of gathering the views of people across Newcastle North before I make a final, detailed, submission to the Council’s consultation – please do get in touch with me on this important issue if you haven’t already done so, if you would like me to represent your concerns.
However, I am keen to emphasise that my submission to the consultation will be of equal value to that of any local resident – and I would therefore strongly urge you to also make your own views clearly known via the Council’s consultation process. All of the consultation documents, with details of how you can respond, are available here: www.newcastle.gov.uk/haveyoursayonplanning. The consultation closes on 4th January 2012.
Of course, the Newcastle Gateshead strategy has been published at a time when the Coalition Government’s draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is coming under significant scrutiny. As you may know, this document (published in July) includes ‘a presumption of sustainable growth’, with the intention of developing a planning system ‘whereby the default answer is yes’. I find this approach deeply concerning, as I believe that Ministers appear to be allowing financial considerations to become the key determinant in how local authorities are to make decisions on planning applications in the future. This could well lead to inappropriate development, and there are strong concerns the draft NPPF could also lead to greater development of the greenbelt. It is therefore vital that local authorities, like Newcastle, have robust plans in place to mitigate the risks and worst aspects of the Government’s new planning policy for the greenbelt, whilst also meeting demand for new housing and development in local areas.