A decision by the Government’s Highways Agency to stop blocking a planning application for factory units on the Team Valley Trading Estate has been welcomed by Gateshead’s Liberal Democrats.
The Highways Agency, which is a government appointed body, has the power to block planning applications where it believes granting the plans would lead to additional traffic in the area.
The Agency had been blocking plans to build a number of small factory units on the site of the disused Jockey factory on the Team Valley in Gateshead. But the Agency backed down this week and allowed Gateshead Council to approve the plans.
Lobley Hill and Bensham Liberal Democrat Action Team Leader Susan Craig said, “At last the Highways Agency has seen sense and has ended its road block on jobs.
“The factory units will help local businesses create badly needed jobs. I was amazed that the Highways Agency could stand in the way of development when the application would have resulted in fewer vehicles on the roads than when the Jockey factory was open two years ago.
“Liberal Democrats continue to question where an unelected body like this should have powers to block the decision of a council that is accountable through the ballot box to local people.
“It is time to bring the Highways Agency under the control of local councils.”
Photo: outside the Jockey factory on the Team Valley Councillor Frank Hindle (Low Fell) and Lobley Hill and Bensham campaigner Susan Craig.
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