Plans for new Jewish college rejected

The college would have filled a gap left by the demolition of eight flats

Proposals for a new Jewish college have been turned down due to concerns over its design and potential impact on neighbours.

The application was for a four-storey college for 100 students, a home for the principal and bedroom space for up to 66 pupils in the Bensham area of Gateshead.

But a report to Gateshead Council's planning and development committee highlighted a number of concerns, including the size of the building.

The plans received dozens of objections and were unanimously rejected.

The college was proposed to to plug a gap on Woodbine Street which was created by the demolition of eight flats following intervention from the Health and Safety Executive, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The plans received 33 letters of objection, with concerns including the size of the building and issues over parking.

A further 52 people signed a petition against the plans.

The applicant, Rabbi Edry, told the committee the scheme had already been through a pre-planning phase with the Labour-led council and he was willing to accept a condition to limit the number of students.

He also said the pupils, aged 16-18, would have to adhere to the high standards of the school in terms of their behaviour.

However, the council's report on the application said there was not enough information about the impact of noise or car parking and suggested reversing vehicles would pose "a significant risk" to pedestrians and cyclists.

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