Gateshead Council’s planning committee will meet next week to decide on an application for over 100 new homes in Birtley.

Councillors have been recommended to approve proposals for up to 106 new homes on vacant land at Lansbury Drive, Elisabethville ,totalling over 2.8 hectares. Most of the site had been previously cleared of housing between 1997 and 2003.

According to documents submitted by the applicant, Vistry North East, the council has been informed all the prospective new homes will be classed as “affordable”. Pending approval and construction, Gateshead Council intends to purchase them to use as council houses.

placeholder image — Councillors have been recommended to approve proposals for up to 106 new homes on vacant land at Lansbury Drive, Elisabethville | Via LDRS

The mix of housing includes 14 one-bedroom, 51 two-bedroom and 41 three-bedroom homes.

Vistry is part of the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP), a joint venture between the applicant, Gateshead Council, and Home Group. The GRP was created to bring forward new homes on sites that have previously been difficult to deliver due to financial and technical constraints..

However, the plans have seen some opposition, including 27 public objections recorded on the council’s online planning portal. The complaints range from worries over construction noise, loss of green space, and over-development.

The council’s report finds: “The comments of local residents and businesses have been taken into account and are addressed in the report above. The layout and design of the scheme have evolved during the course of the application and respond to representation’s received and officer’s concerns.

“The amended scheme is considered to provide an acceptable residential environment for future occupiers while respecting the character of the surrounding area.”

The report also highlights the council current inability to deliver a five year housing supply. The council’s assessment has also found a number of financial benefits to the proposal including:

138 jobs associated with construction
£19.8m of gross value added generated over the period of the build
£273,286 in extra council tax
Creation of five apprenticeship opportunities

Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “We are committed to increasing the supply of good‑quality, affordable homes across the borough, and this development in Elisabethville represents a major investment in the future of Birtley.

“These new homes from Gateshead Regeneration Partnership will provide secure, well‑managed accommodation for our residents and help support a thriving, sustainable community. We are pleased to be moving forward with our partners to bring these plans forward – bringing a long empty site back into use for the good of the community.”

The planning and development committee will hear the application on Wednesday, March 25, at Gateshead Civic Centre.