Plans to build new homes on the site of a park storage area have been approved despite objections from local residents.
Gateshead Council's planning committee voted to give permission in principle to build four to 10 homes on the Felling Park Depot, off St John's Place.
Permission in Principle (PIP) means that the suitability of the site for housing will be looked at with other matters, such as the type of housing to be considered later.
A planning document explained: "It should be noted that all that should be considered with a PIP is the suitability of the site for housing and the number of dwellings expressed as a range that can be accommodated.
"Matters such as the type of dwellings, access, the layout of the site, the appearance of the site cannot be considered at this stage. Planning conditions or planning obligations also cannot be imposed."
Authority planners gave their backing to the scheme and advised the planning committee to approve the plans.
In a report to council, they point out that the homes would be close to the centre of Felling, which means shops and services are within walking distance and the area is served by public transport.
But, residents are up in arms about the scheme and have sent 97 letters of objection to the authority.
They share fears about traffic and parking, loss of play space for children and impact on wildlife among a long list of concerns.
Friends of Felling Park, a voluntary group that manages and maintains the park, have raised fears that the park would lose land, and have submitted a 165 signature petition against the scheme.
