180 homes struck from housing plan

Inspector raises concerns over 'access' and 'flooding'

- Phil Corrigan Local Democracy Reporter

TWO Green Belt sites earmarked for 180 homes must be removed from a planning blueprint, council leaders have been told.

The sites were allocated for housing in Newcastle Borough Council's draft local plan, which will guide all development in the area up to the year 2040, including the delivery of thousands of homes.

Planning inspector Anne Jordan examined the draft plan earlier this year and has now told the council to make changes in order to make the document 'sound'.

These include removing site AB33, off Nantwich Road and Park Lane in Audley, which was earmarked for 55 homes, and AB12, in Diglake Street, Bignall End (125 homes).

Ms Jordan says AB33 is likely to be 'highly constrained' by surface water flooding due to climate change, while AB12 has issues with access.