Mike Lynch supports residents in development fight

Newburn Ward councillor Mike Lynch is supporting residents in their fight against a housing development in his ward.

Developers want to demolish Segpool House in Walbottle and replace it with four two-storey linked houses.

The Lib Dem councillor is so concerned about the scheme that he organised a public meeting with local residents.

More than 100 attended the meeting last week at Walbottle Institute to hear Mike speak out against the plan.

Residents have also started a petition against the redevelopment and more than 200 people have signed it.

Approval for the planning application rested with city council officers - a delegated decision - but Mike has already successfully lobbied for the council's development control committee to hear the application.

Mike says: "This scheme would be out of keeping with the rest of Walbottle as developers want to build four red brick houses as the village is known for its stone brick housing.

"I have already lobbied the council and now the planning application will be heard by councillors on the development control committee instead of an officers' delegated decision.

"I intend to be at the development control meeting and will speak on behalf of residents and I will tell the councillors about how many local people are opposed to the scheme."