500 homes outside Newcastle granted planning permission

Plans by Newcastle architects Pod to create 500 homes as part of a major new housing scheme on the outskirts of Newcastle have been given the green light.

The move will see the first phase of development of a mix of three, four and five-bedroomed properties at Callerton Park, which lies to the west of the city centre and close to Newcastle International Airport.

The properties, which are being built by Miller Homes (261 units) and Story Homes (244), will be released onto the market in 2019.

They were granted planning permission after meeting requirements for more controlled development of greenbelt land.

Working closely with the developers and the Newcastle City Council planning committee, Pod has acted as the lead consultant, steering the Middle Callerton phase of the site’s overall development through the local planning approval process.

Callerton Park is hailed as a key neighbourhood growth area, created around ambitions to eventually build 3,000 new properties as part of the draft core strategy and urban core plan, which provides a blueprint for housing development across Gateshead and Newcastle.

This is also part of wider plans by both Newcastle and Gateshead councils to deliver 30,000 by 2030 to meet regional housing needs.

A new school, several commercial units, along with improved road access to local villages and a pedestrian bridge spanning the A69, area also potentially part of the long-term plans for the site.

Pod’s vision will be the creation of a village concept around three distinct areas, which will meet individual development constraints while generating a community feeling for residents moving in.

Pod’s project lead and director Jens Rahmann said: ‘Working closely with the Newcastle City Council and the developers from the outset has been invaluable in securing planning approval for this great project.’

‘As architects, we want to create exciting and rewarding housing schemes that leave a long-lasting legacy. This one will see a real positive change to this part of Newcastle.

‘Again, our designs for Callerton Park, which will be set within a semi-rural location, showcase our added value expertise in creating a genuine sense of place and community, from concept through to delivery.’