Planning policy latest news

November 2021: Audley J16 area map - local plan process clarification

We are aware that a map has been circulated on social media in recent days of a potential site for employment development near Junction 16 of the M6. We are also aware that this has become a cause for concern, particularly to residents in Audley.

For clarification, this site is not council-owned land but the location map has been submitted to us by a developer. It is not subject to a planning application and is not a confirmed site allocation in the local plan. The issues and options local plan does not contain site allocations.

The map is one of hundreds of maps that we have acquired from site submissions provided for consideration in the local plan.

To see all sites submitted to us as part of this very early process, please look at our strategic housing land availability assessment online.

The issues and options public consultation, currently being carried out  across the borough, asks all of our communities, businesses and residents where they feel growth is needed and whether we should consider sites for large scale employment. This includes areas near to Junction 16 of the M6, as featured on this map. The full consultation document is available for all to view online and in also community libraries across the borough.

We are following well established guidelines as part of the local plan process; we are out and about talking to our communities at the consultation events and listening to what they have to say to us.

We have been holding events across the borough where the public can see material relating to the local plan and also speak to a planning officer (subject to pre-booking a timed appointment).

To make sure that these each of the public events is Covid secure and safe for everyone we are limiting the number of people permitted indoors at the community venues.

The Audley event is now fully pre-booked but we have a further event running at Castle House in Newcastle town centre on 2 December 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To book an appointment please contact us:

We are also holding an additional ‘virtual’ event on 30 November, between 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, where you can have a 15-minute appointment with an officer using a Zoom meeting or a phone call.

Please book an appointment by contcacting us and letting us know what type of appointment you would prefer.

We want as many people as possible to take part in the local plan consultation. Please visit our consultation portal to read the full document and have your say.

Thank you.