Site pages last updated 12th February 2026
We will continue the fight to save the Fellgate Green Belt from 1,200 homes.
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Further Hearings Transcripts have been processed into Minutes of the hearing.
We suggest that you take the time to read them as they give a clear account of what was discussed, actions and responsibilities and area’s of disagreements
Breaking News
MAJOR UPDATE:
Many of you will have received an email from the Inspector (Mr Spencer) today related to the recent Stage 2 hearings. I have also added the link below.
Mr Spencer has stated that:-
‘I have determined that the plan as submitted is not sound. However, it could be made sound through main modifications (MMs) which I can recommend’.
The fact that the Local Plan has been deemed ‘not sound’ is a major development.
The letter from Mr Spencer includes some main modifications related to the planned build on the Fellgate Green Belt (Policy Sp8) and the Working Group will be sifting through these over the next few days. Some of these are related to Infrastructure and we have already identified inconsistencies with some of the data that STC presented during the hearings. The Working Group are also working behind the scenes in relation to additional issues which we have identified.
As a Community we need to continue to provide evidence such as photographs highlighting traffic issues, flooding issues, surface water, wildlife and anything else that you feel is relevant.
ALL RESIDENTS regardless of whether they initially made representations during the Reg 19 Consultation period will then be able to have their say during a six- week Consultation period.
This was confirmed in the following statement from Mr Spencer:-
- The consultation should extend to all statutory consultees and interested persons and not be limited only to those who made representations at the Regulation 19 stage in early 2024.
- I will consider the responses to the consultation, before reaching my final conclusions on the MMs required. However, the general expectation is that issues raised, following the consultation of the proposed MMs, will be considered through the written representations process. Further hearing sessions will only be scheduled exceptionally.
This will be when as a United Community, we will all voice our concerns and highlight to Mr Spencer the reasons as to why there can never be any development on the Fellgate Green Belt.
We Stay Positive, Stay Strong and as a Community WE WILL Save the Fellgate Green Belt 
Click to read the Inspectors Letter
The Working Group along with Geraldine (Cllr Kilgour), attended the majority of sessions. Due to set procedures that govern the Examination in Public process, members of the working group were only allowed to give verbal representations for the issues that were initially mentioned in the Regulation 19 statements made by residents during the initial Consultation period between January 15th and March 3rd 2024. The main day related to Fellgate was 15th January 2026. All written submissions will be treated just the same as the verbal representations by the inspector.
The Inspector gave details of ‘what happens next’ For the full briefing please click on the link below and fast forward to 3.02.26:
The ESTIMATED schedule for the next steps are as follows:
The Inspector will send out the Main Recommended Modifications required for ‘Plan Soundness’ by the end of Jan – early Feb 2026
There will be a 6 week Consultation Period between late March – Early May for those residents who responded at Reg 19
The Council will then receive the Inspectors Report towards the end of May – Early June 2026.
The Local Plan Website will also be updated as news comes in and we will monitor this.
In relation to the Hearings themselves. I believe that we put the best possible case forward ensuring that all relevant points were addressed and evidenced from information collected and collated by the Working Group and you yourselves, over the past two years.
We now have to wait for the report which will inform us of the Inspectors decision. For 2 years now we’ve Stayed Strong, continued to Work Together as a Community and most of all Stayed Positive. Please continue to do so and very soon now we’ll know whether the Fellgate Green Belt has been Saved. Believe!
As always, and for completeness all documents are available via this link:
Latest news – South Tyneside Council
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The groups business bank account is as follows:-
Account Name: FELLGATE GREEN BELT GROUP:
Account Number: 62288504:
Sort Code 55-50-34
Once we’ve Saved the Fellgate Green Belt any additional funds raised will be donated to a Charity at a later date. We all care about protecting our community, the Fellgate Green Belt and stopping inappropriate development.
Please donate if you can as every contribution no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal and makes a real difference. If anyone has any concerns or queries please send a personal message and we will reply. Please stay positive as I truly believe that we can Save the Fellgate Green Belt
Fellgate stands as a haven amidst the urban sprawl of Jarrow, Hebburn and Sunderland Tyne and Wear. A bastion of greenery and fertile farmland. It now faces the relentless march of urbanisation, which brings pollution, increases flooding, destroys wild life, decimates bio diversity, will end generations of farming with a loss of vital jobs and increases traffic congestion along the major roads towards White Mare Pool. This remaining green belt is not just soil, crops and grass; it’s a crucial sanctuary for diverse life forms, a purveyor of fresh air, and a vital link for our community to nature’s bounty. Yet, this sanctuary is now imperilled, threatened by the looming spectre of development.
We implore your aid in its defence.
