Campaigners Fear 300 Homes Will Change Nature of Their Village
Residents are concerned that new housing plans will alter their village’s character and strain local infrastructure
Talke, Newcastle, UK, Housing, Infrastructure, Community
Talke: There’s a bit of a stir in the village over plans to build 300 new homes. Folks are worried that this could really change the vibe of their community. The local council has picked out some Green Belt land for these developments, and it’s got people talking.
They’ve earmarked spots for 170 homes at Crown Bank, 90 off Coppice Road, and 40 on St Martins Road. But the Talke Action Group is raising alarms. They think if all this goes through, Talke might turn into a commuter hub for people working in Manchester. That’s not what they want.
Residents are also concerned about the roads and other local services. They feel the current infrastructure just can’t handle the extra load. The council says that even if these plans get the green light, each site will still need its own planning permission. They might even ask developers to chip in for local improvements.
The final draft of the local plan is set to go out for public feedback soon. Lawrence Tudin, who’s with the Talke Action Group, feels the village is being asked to take on more than its fair share of new homes.
He pointed out that adding 300 homes would increase Talke’s size by about 20-25%. That’s a big jump for a place that currently has around 1,200 to 1,500 homes. He’s worried about how the village will cope with so many new residents.
Lawrence also mentioned a specific site, TK27, which the council previously denied planning permission for due to road concerns. He’s baffled that they’d consider building 90 homes right next to it now. It seems a bit contradictory, doesn’t it?
The local plan, once finalized, will shape development in the area until 2040. It’s not just about housing; it’ll also cover jobs, leisure, and other community needs.
Earlier this year, there was a public consultation on the first draft. Now, the council has sent the final version to the government for review.
Councillor Andrew Fear, who’s in charge of planning, explained that the council has to create a local plan to figure out where to build homes and facilities while also protecting green spaces. He assured that developers often have to contribute to local infrastructure when they seek planning permission.
He added that while the current proposals reflect the council’s views, they still need to be approved by the full council and will be open for public input. An independent inspector will then review everything to ensure it’s all in order.