NLP secured planning permission for the expansion of Kingston Park Stadium to create a Centre of Rugby Excellence for Newcastle Falcons in the north Newcastle Green Belt.
NLP advised on site selection and prepared a Green Belt case. It also co-ordinated the Environmental Impact Assessment and negotiated on the S106 Agreement with the Council.
Despite securing unanimous local support at Planning Committee the planning application was ‘called in’ for determination by the Secretary of State. NLP presented expert evidence at the Inquiry and planning permission was subsequently granted, the Inspector finding NLP’s analysis of alternative sites:
I found the site analysis thorough and robust, with sensible planning criteria applied. … the study met the requirements of PPG17 in that it fully addressed other practicable options … from my own assessment of the evidence I would not seek to dissent from the overall conclusions.