Thumbs up for housing proposals in Birtley
Plans to build 276 houses on a derelict and empty site in Birtley have been welcomed by one of the town’s Liberal Democrat councillors.
The former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) site, next to the East Coast Mainline, closed over a decade ago and between 2012 and 2014 the buildings were demolished.
Councillor Joe Sowerby, who represents Birtley on Gateshead Council, said, “The recent news that planning permission could soon be signed off in Birtley for the building of nearly 300 homes on the old ROF site is welcome.
“Hopefully the building of new homes will help drive investment and regeneration in Birtley.
“I am confident that concerns raised about infrastructure will be properly addressed through the planning process.
“Residents living next to the ROF site have had to put up with a concrete desert on their doorsteps over the past 13 years.
“My hope is that if Gateshead’s planning committee approve the plans, we can get rid of the eyesore and build some badly needed houses.”
The application calls for two, three and four bedroom houses to be built. It will be considered at the Gateshead planning committee meeting on Wednesday 14th May. The officer recommendation is to grant planning permission.
