HC Deb 15 January 1997 vol 288 cc246-7W
Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call in the decision taken by North Tyneside council to grant approval to planning application 96/02804/REM for the construction of 103 dwellings at the Victor Products site, Wallsend. [10910]

Sir Paul Beresford

No. Outline planning permission was granted by North Tyneside borough council for this development on 20 May 1996, and the current application—96/02804/REM—is for approval of reserved matters. The original application was advertised as a departure from the development plan, but the council considered that it should not be referred to the Secretary of State.

I am aware that there are local concerns about the proposal, particularly the density and character of the proposed housing, its impact on traffic and the need for local play facilities. I understand that council officers met local residents in November 1996 and are confident that the residents' concerns can be satisfactorily resolved.