26/08/2026
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PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SUNNISIDE
In August 2025, the Banks Group submitted a pre-planning enquiry to the council for the development of 210 houses on the plot off Pennyfine Road.
Planners advised Banks that, should planning permission be applied for, it was likely to be rejected because of a number of concerns regarding compliance with local and national, green and grey belt policies, locational sustainability, transport/highways, ecological, landscape and visual impacts.
The council have fundamental concerns over the sustainability of the site. There is no school within a reasonable walking distance, with the closest schools being some distance away in Whickham. The local road network in the area is known to be congested and additional car movements are likely to have a negative impact.
Due to the detailed matters identified in the pre-application, it was considered unlikely the scheme could benefit from Grey Belt policies. The scheme would be considered ‘inappropriate development’ in the Green Belt.
Whilst Banks have lately asked the council for guidance about what more information is needed from them IF they decide to submit a planning application, it is considered unlikely that permission would be granted. However, seeking pre-application advice is a matter for Banks and is not an uncommon occurrence.