More time given for say on riverside development

Residents have been given extra time to have their say on controversial plans to build flats overlooking the River Tyne.

Plans for a £40m development on the vacant Malmo plot of land at the mouth of the Ouseburn were submitted to Newcastle City Council earlier this year.

The council agreed to extend the consultation period for the new plans after they went largely unnoticed by residents and a section of the planning portal crashed.

Developer PfP-igloo said its proposals would redevelop the "underutilised, largely vacant and less active area" of the Quayside and create a "place for people to live, work and enjoy".

In 2021 designs were put forward for an 18-storey tower on the plot of land, which sparked backlash from opponents who called it an "eyesore".

A smaller 10-floor apartment block was later submitted to the council in August 2022 but also faced pushback from locals.

But residents have aired concern the new scheme had resurfaced "with no warning" meaning few people were aware of the latest update, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The owner of the neighbouring Free Trade Inn pub also complained the plans had become "pretty much inaccessible" as the section of the council's planning portal website containing them had crashed.

Pub manager Mick Potts said the scheme was not as "shocking" as the original tower but it was "certainly not without issues" – including concerns about parking in the already congested area.

If approved the pub could also see its famous beer garden view of the river significantly altered by the development.

The existing Cycle Hub would also have to be demolished, although it will be given a new home in the development.

Newcastle City Council has now extended the deadline for public comments on the planning application until 2 May.

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