Site pages last updated 12th November 2026
We will continue the fight to save the Fellgate Green Belt from 1,200 homes.
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Breaking News
PLEASE READ as this is deeply concerning:
Dave Green our spokesperson attended the ‘drop in event’ last Thursday 12th November and spoke with representatives from Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and South Tyneside Council. The session was arranged to determine the cause of the pollution that is sweeping onto the shores of Little Haven Beach.
Residents and visitors alike have for decades swam in the waters off Little Haven Beach which is deemed to be a true asset to South Tyneside. It is currently ‘brown flagged’ and deemed unsafe for swimming.
In Dave’s and the working group opinion the session confirmed to me that there will be very little that will change over the next few years, if not for at least a decade. Development after development has been allowed to be built resulting in massive profits for the Water Company and additional Council Tax being collected, at the detriment of the very beaches that provide so much enjoyment to so many.
We all firmly believe that there are serious concerns based around the Howdon Sewage Treatment Works and the timing of investment related to upgrading it, in order for it to cope with the extra Housing requirements not only of the ST Local Plan, but also the additional developments that are occurring across the river in North Tyneside. There are constant sewage discharges into the River Tyne and Don Estuary on a regular basis.
Let me give you an example. The Wagonway Combined Storm Overflow discharged sewage constantly into the River Tyne for 655 hrs 24 minutes between 21st January 2026 and 18th February 2026. That was non-stop for almost 4 weeks. No prizes for guessing where all of this may have ended up! This is only one occurrence but there are many thousands of others.
So when exactly is the investment going to be made into upgrading the Howdon STW:
Evidence put forward by STC during the recent hearings into the Local Plan and which is included in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan Point 7.14 page 34 which forms part of the Local Plan
states that:- Northumbrian Water have asked for investment in its current business plan (AMP8) covering 2025-2030, to carry out a number of upgrades to this treatment works. One of these upgrades is to increase its headroom availability capacity to allow for all of the predicted growth (new development) identified within the local authorities long term growth plans. An estimated cost of £330m is mentioned by STC:
A subsequent Freedom of Information response from NWL stated that:-
We did not ask Ofwat for funding for a potential upgrade at Howdon treatment works to increase its headroom availability capacity for any new developments,……. (NWL)
To be clear, there is still no funding allowed yet for this scheme. Instead, this mechanism allows us to apply to Ofwat for funding from 2028/29 onwards if this project is needed (rather than waiting for PR29). We would need to demonstrate to Ofwat that such an upgrade is needed, and that our costs are efficient, and all other requirements under its process (NWL)
Having asked questions at the session last week there appears to be no firm date given for the application for investment to upgrade the Howdon STW to be even forwarded to OfWat. Even when it is put together and forwarded the application for Investment may be refused.
In a letter from NWL on June 16th 2026 they stated that:-· Yes, it is possible that development could proceed ahead of confirmed investment, any upgrade at Howdon Sewage Treatment Works remains subject to Ofwat’s funding process. Northumbrian Water would need to submit a robust business case demonstrating need and efficiency, and Ofwat may approve or reject that request.
This is seriously concerning!
The Inspector in his Post Hearings Letter Point 37 dated 11th February states: –
· Development proposals should demonstrate that adequate mains foul water treatment and disposal already exist or can be provided in time to serve the development, or that this can be made available in time for the occupation of the development.
The session last Thursday has reaffirmed serious concerns that this sadly, will not be the case.
Sewage from the proposed development of at least 1200 houses on the Fellgate Green Belt will be connected to pipes close to Hagan Hall, which will then travel through Hedworth, Calf Close, Primrose and Bede Wards via the current antiquated and failing sewage Infrastructure to a Sewage Treatment Works which is in dire need of an upgrade. This cannot be allowed to happen unless capacity is there to cope with the demand.
Much of the information gathered by the Save the Fellgate Green Belt Working Group has over the past six months been forwarded to relevant others.
Many ST Councillors are aware of the current situation as I believe are our Members of Parliament Kate Osborne and Emma Lewell who have I believe raised the issue on a number of occasions.
We will be putting all of our additional information together over the next few weeks and forwarding it to both of our Members of Parliament asking for an Investigation into the current situation.
If you yourself have any concerns please also forward them to Local Councillors and our Local Members of Parliament. Numbers Matter!
Now that the scoping consultation process for Delivering Ambitions: South Tyneside Local Plan has completed the Gateway 1 self-assessments summary is now available click here to read. This forms part of the 30 month plan making process.
As South Tyneside Council are still working on TWO local plans. The SFGB members will be monitoring and will continue publish all relevant outputs from the council on both our Facebook Page and our web site.
As that the consultation has closed, you can not bring any new issues that have not already been recorded in any future consultations or examinations.
So please keep popping in to keep up to date.
In order to manage all of the documents, legal comments, web pages, and any other relevant information, these 2 plans will have their own web page threads.
When accessing these pages, please remember which plan is which, as both are running side by side.
These are: Please click the link to go to the correct page.
Local Plan 2030 – 2045: This is the plan that we are objecting to.
New Local Plan : This is the Plan called
Delivering Ambitions : South Tyneside Local Plan.
Our Campaign Continues and we will keep you informed as often as possible. In order to get a feel for your views, would you please send a message via the Contact Us Page, how you feel and any suggestions for the way forward.
Please donate what ever you can, every penny collected will go to pay our cost for running and maintaing our social media cost.
If you donate, we thank you very much and if you support us we thank you just as much.
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.
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.
