Newcastle City Council's planning committee is scheduled to meet on Friday 10 October 2025 to discuss a number of planning applications and updates. The committee will be asked to approve the minutes from their previous meeting, and will also receive reports from the Assistant Director Legal Services, and the Assistant Director Planning. Among the items to be discussed are a planning application for Sidney Grove, an update on Section 106 contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy, and a list of forthcoming site visits for committee members.

Planning Application: 151 Sidney Grove

The committee will be asked to make a decision on planning application 2025/0239/01/DET, which concerns 151 Sidney Grove, in the Arthurs Hill Ward. The application from Falcon Residential NE Ltd, seeks permission for:

Conversion of a Class C4 House in Multiple Occupation, erection of a single storey and two storey extension to rear following removal of existing garage and two storey offshoot, loft conversion including installation of 2no. rooflights to front and 2no rooflights to rear to form an 8 person (8bed) HMO (Sui Generis).

A report in the Public Reports Pack says that the application is partly retrospective, as works have already commenced on the rear extension. The planning officer's report notes that this application would normally be determined by officers, but is being brought to the planning committee due to the number of public representations. The planning officer's report recommends that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Objections

The report notes that 30 representations have been made by interested members of the public, with 26 objections and 4 in support. The reasons for objection include:

• Over development of the property
• Parking concerns
• Increase in waste storage
• Cramped accommodation
• Noise issues
• Potential increase in crime
• Lack of light and poor outlook
• Lack of cycle parking
• Detrimental to the character of the area
• Concerns about flooding
• Impact on ecological habitats

Councillors Kingsland, Powers and Samad have also submitted a joint objection, raising concerns about the impact on residential amenity, parking, and refuse services.

Support

Reasons given in support of the application include:

• The project is much needed in the NE4 area
• The redevelopment would help revitalise the street
• The property was linked to unacceptable behaviour

Planning Policy Considerations

The report considers the application against several planning policies, including:

• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)¹
• Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan (CSUCP)
• Development and Allocations Plan (DAP)
• Maintaining Sustainable Communities SPD

The report concludes that the development is in accordance with the NPPF and relevant local plan policies.

Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy Update

The committee will receive a report providing an update on Section 106² contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy³ (CIL) performance from September 2024 to September 2025.

The report states that there is currently £42 million of Section 106 funds held which have not been expended to date. The majority of these funds relate to developments at the Core Strategy Green Belt release Strategic Land Release housing sites and Great Park sites, totalling £34.8 million. The report also provides details of Community Infrastructure Funding, Training and Employment Management, and Viability Monitoring. The Planning Committee are recommended to note the contents of the report.

Planning Appeals

The committee will receive a report providing information on planning appeals. The Appeals Report includes details of appeals lodged, appeals determined, appeals withdrawn/rejected, and appeals pending.

Appeals Determined

The report notes that several appeals have been determined, including:

• Appeal against refusal of change of use of the Grainger Hotel, to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) - Appeal Dismissed
• Appeal against refusal of a dormer extension to side at 8 Northfield Road - Appeal Dismissed
• Appeal against refusal of a dormer extension to the rear of 19 Stoneyhurst Road - Appeal Dismissed
• Appeal against refusal of change of use from pharmacy to restaurant at 208 Stamfordham Road - Appeal Dismissed

Appeals Pending

The report also lists a number of appeals that are currently pending, including:

• Appeal against refusal of TPO Application at Lidl Benwell Lane
• Appeal against refusal of TPO Application at 5 Sycamore Square
• Appeal against refusal of Notification for Prior Approval at 50 Lanercost Drive
• Appeal against Enforcement Notice at 204 Jesmond Dene Road regarding alleged unauthorised Air BnB
• Appeal against refusal of Outline Planning Application at Newcastle City Heliport

Forthcoming Site Visits

The committee will be informed of the forthcoming site visits for committee members. The Site Visits List details a visit to land west of Brunton Drive and south of Brunton Lane to consider the erection of a 3-storey 66-bedroom residential care home.