This week I have been following up on planning and licensing issues in the ward:

There is an application to convert M & S Motorcycles on Westgate Road into a mix of residential and commercial premises. Local residents are concerned about highway safety – e.g. access and egress onto Swinburne Place and doors opening straight onto the road; refuse arrangements; the lack of affordable housing; and whether the heritage of the current building and the area had been sufficiently considered. Several objected and I did too as the local councillor. The application was first submitted in October last year but there have been ongoing discussions and amendments to the plans.

Noise and disturbance from licensed premises is one of the biggest issues in the city centre and Quayside area and I regularly object to applications that I think will have a negative impact. I have become increasingly concerned that the licensing process is not protecting residents as well as it should and have been trying to get answers from the council on this. I will share the information on this site when I get it.

I also chased up the council for answers on the legal status of Leazes Park. There have been multiple reports recently of plans to build a new stadium on the site, all of which have overlooked the fact that it doesn’t actually belong to the club… Leazes Park is the oldest park in Newcastle and a much-loved green space. I think it’s vital that residents are given all the facts and the opportunity to comment on any plans before decisions are made.