FAMILIES fighting plans for thousands of new homes have been told their chance to have their voice heard is over.
Newcastle Council has said it cannot afford to delay its local plan any further despite ongoing concern from hundreds of residents.
The council will now publish its final plan setting out where more than 20,000 new homes will be built over the next two decades after two years of debate.
It follows a lengthy battle with hundreds of groups who are opposed to the plans which include building on the city’s countryside boundaries.
The city insists that over the last two years it has consulted more than any other authority on the changes.
In a document going before leaders today council officers say that to continue to consult would mean there is no legal plan in place. As such, house builders would effectively have the power to build without consideration of local views, councillors are warned.
Any further delay could put at risk sites currently thought to be protected including, it is feared, the land next to Gosforth Nature Reserve.
But John Urquhart, one of the campaigners who helped save that site, said the council only has itself to blame.
He described today’s cabinet report as “one long admission of negligence”. Mr Urquhart added: “They knew about the change in Government planning policy more than a year ago, but have dillied and dallied, thus exposing us to risk from developers.
“Of particular concern is the admission that Newcastle has a shortfall in five-year housing supply which could leave us vulnerable to predatory attacks from developers, even for protected sites.”
Campaigners say they have been told they cannot speak on the issue at the cabinet meeting , though there will be a further chance in July.
A council spokesman last night said: “We have undertaken one of the longest and most comprehensive consultations on a local plan by any local authority in the country – and it is still not over.
“There have been five rounds of consultation stretching over more than two years, including 100 public events at which 26,000 comments have been gathered via 4,000 submissions and 15 petitions. Yet there still remains one further opportunity to comment, once the final detailed report is approved by the cabinet in July.
“The issues raised will be considered at the examination in public which will be led by an independent planning inspector.
“The council has not delayed this process. We need to develop our plan on the basis of firm reliable evidence.
“This is not just about houses. It is about jobs, growth, retaining people who are essential to our economy and building a city for a growing population with the right skills where businesses want to invest and thrive.”
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