Since 2012, a group of dedicated volunteers, staff and trustees have met once a month to monitor planning issues, the design of buildings and structures to be built in or near Ouseburn and explore potential future developments. The central area of the Lower Ouseburn Valley is a Conservation Area, and we want to maintain its special, unique character, ensuring that new developments are high quality, sustainable and inclusive of a broad range of needs. 

The Planning and Development Group is made up of a variety of individuals, from people working in the planning sector to passionate local residents. Over the years, the group has built a valuable knowledge base. Today, Newcastle City Council and property developers work closely with the group to tap into their expertise and unique knowledge of the area. 

Current projects

As well as consistently reviewing new planning applications, the group is working on the new Ouseburn Strategy 2020-30 which will update the Ouseburn Regeneration Plan 2012-20. 

Previous projects 

The group has supported and provided comment on a large number of prospective and existing development projects. Examples include: 

• NewcastleGateshead Urban Core Area Action Plan
• The Malings
• Coquet Street proposal to develop four blocks of student accommodation to contain 254 bed spaces in 52 clusters.
• Lower Steenberg’s Yard
• Commented on the Council's Draft Development & Allocations Plan in 2017
• Commented on the Council's Conservation Area Management Plan update in 2018

Conserving the Ouseburn

In 2017, the Planning and Development Group undertook a consultation exercise to gather comments on the Lower Ouseburn Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP). They engaged PlaceChangers, a team with prior experience of working with neighbourhood and community forums, to design a tool for us., This enabled people who are interested in the Ouseburn Valley to say which buildings they love most and want to protect, and which buildings they did not feel so strongly about. The consultation took place between 4^th February and 30^th May 2017. Participants were invited to comment 121 buildings built before about 1990. In all, 628 people visited the page and took part in 1036 active sessions on their PCs, tablets or phones.  122 voted and made comments.  Altogether there were 5284 ratings contributed, an average of 43 per person. Read or download the full report.

Get involved

The group meets monthly - usually at 5pm on the last Tuesday of the month. Whilst Covid restrictions have been in place, the group have continued to meet online.

If you would like to attend a meeting or become a member of this group, contact us at [email protected].