North Tyneside councillors have approved plans to construct a 30-space electric vehicle charging hub in Holystone despite local opposition.
The local authority’s planning committee voted by a majority decision in favour of the construction of an electric vehicle station, and food and drink shop, on vacant land between Edmund Road and Holystone Way. According to documents submitted by the applicant, Godwin Developments, charging points would operate 24 hours a day with the hub open from 6am to 11pm every day.
However, the plans had generated 53 objections online with concerns ranging from the proximity of the hub to homes to fears around the safety of increased traffic.
Northumbria Police officer and local Andy McNally also informed the planning committee of his own concerns about the plans, fearing the prospective hub could generate anti-social behaviour, light and noise pollution. Mr McNally also expressed his worry that potentially increased traffic flows would pose a threat to nearby students of Holystone Primary School.
A previous application in 2020 was rejected by the council for six retail units on the same plot of land. It was refused on the grounds the proposal would adversely impact neighbouring residential properties. The proposal was also considered too large at 826sqm, whereas the current proposal site at around 172sqm.
However, the council report, compiled by local authority officers, had no objections with respect to highway safety and went on to say that the nearby Premier Inn and pub could still be accessed safely. In addition, documents submitted on behalf of the applicant maintained that the development of the vacant plot would reduce anti-social behaviour.
It is also estimated the development is likely to create 16 new jobs, seven full time and nine part time, in the local area.
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN