Telephone Exchange, Whickham Bank, Whickham, NE16 4AJ

Outline Planning Application for the demolition of the existing telephone exchange (sui generis) and development of 1 no C3 residential dwelling with creation of a new vehicular access from Whickham Bank

Authority: Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Robbie K

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the development on highway safety
the effect of the development on biodiversity

What decided it

The proposal would create an undue risk to highway safety due to the excessive access gradient and pedestrian crossing concerns on a busy, accident-prone road, combined with the absence of evidence to demonstrate compliance with biodiversity requirements.

Framework references: 111

Plan policies cited: Policy CS13, Policy MSGP15, Policy MSGP37

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.
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