Gateshead Council’s planning and development committee has approved plans for up to 130 new homes proposed by the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership on vacant land at Church Place in Felling, despite objections from Gateshead Football Club.

Gateshead Council has approved the construction of up to 130 new homes on a vacant site at Church Place in Felling, despite strong opposition from Gateshead Football Club. The planning and development committee unanimously backed the housing scheme during a meeting on 17 June 2026. The development forms part of the broader Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP) initiative aimed at tackling housing shortages in the area by redeveloping underused land.

Gateshead Football Club objected to the plans primarily because the site would mean the loss of open space that could potentially be used for sporting and community activities. The club indicated it could secure the land for community use and highlighted the potential social, health, and community benefits such an alternative might bring. However, the council’s report concluded that the club’s submission lacked a detailed or deliverable proposal and was presented only as a future aspiration rather than a concrete alternative. As a result, the planning committee proceeded with the housing approval.

The proposed development will feature a mix of property types, including one, two, three, and four-bedroom houses. Notably, around 63% of the homes (81 units) will have three or more bedrooms, providing a significant number of family-sized properties. Only four homes (3.1%) will be delivered as affordable housing on this site, which falls below the council’s usual 15% requirement. This shortfall will be compensated for by delivering additional affordable homes across other GRP regeneration sites, including Brandling, Beacon Lough, Dixon Street, and Elizabethville.