Anger as housing given go ahead in Dunston

A ROW has broken out on Gateshead Council following a decision to allow 4 houses to be built in Dunston on what was formerly greenbelt land.

The Council’s planning committee tied seven votes for and seven against with the Chairman using his casting vote to allow the development on Market Lane to go ahead.

But there was anger that Liberal Democrat Councillor, Peter Maughan, who represents the area in Gateshead Council, was refused permission to speak against the plans at the meeting.

“This was a very controversial application,” said Cllr Maughan. “It erodes the green area between Dunston and Swalwell and in my view, and the view of many residents, is little more than ribbon development that the greenbelt was invented to stop.

“I am also very angry that as ward councillor, elected to represent the people here, I was refused permission to speak against this application. I was gagged.”

Peter’s ward colleague, Councillor Allison Chatto said, “The decision to allow these four houses to be built is death to the greenbelt by a thousand cuts, with small slices here and there building up over time.

“I am deeply disappointed that this plan has been given the go ahead.”