Residents object to plans for homes on green belt
BBCLocal residents are objecting to plans to build about 2,000 homes on the green belt.
North Tyneside Council plans to construct the homes in the St Mary's ward, in the northern part of the borough near Earsdon, as part of its housing plan.
But Hannah Griffiths, who is part of a group objecting to the development, said the land was not just fields, but part of a "continuous wildlife corridor".
The council's director of resources John Sparkes said developing on green belt land was not the local authority's first choice but was sometimes unavoidable.
He said targets for building new homes were part of a national strategy and were imposed on councils by the government.
"The whole process around a local plan is about identifying the most sustainable and appropriate locations to accommodate that growth," Sparkes said.
The local pressure group, made from those living around Earsdon, said the community would lose natural green spaces where people walked their dogs and took part in outdoor activities.
Fellow resident Helen Richards said the council had not emphasised the consultation period enough.
"I feel a lot of local people can't even know about this, let alone comment on it," she said.
Conservative councillor for St Mary's ward, Ian McAlpine, said there were also concerns about the ability of the local infrastructure to cope with an additional 2,000 new homes
"It already takes ages to get a GP appointment, and we know how congested the roads get in that area, they're some of the busiest roads in North Tyneside," he said.
Residents have until 25 February to share their views on the scheme, while a further consultation will take place in the summer.
