Page last updated 9th May 2025
Local Plan document library has been updated. Click to see and read the new documents under INSP3
Key Dates for Stage 1 hearings:
- Midday Tuesday 3rd June – notify myself which session you wish to attend/speak
- Midday Tuesday 17th June – submit to myself optional further written statements in response to the Inspector’s MIQ
- Tuesday 8th July – hearings commence for two weeks
South Tyneside Council are posting many documents to the Local Plan Document Library. Whilst the council previously posted a document Index (SUB14), there are several documents that have been posted in the Post submission documents that are NOT in the document index. Also there are documents that have not been part of the Local Plan. This means that you will not have seen them until now.
These documents are available in the examination library.
Local Plan Examination
Click this link to read the Initial Letter (received 22nd April 2025) This is a must read to understand the process over the coming months.
Click on this link to read more on the Local Plan Examination
What is happening:
The Inspector has to read all the evidence, this included: the plan, all submitted documents, and all the comments submitted by the public and other interested parties, to understand how he wishes to proceed. The government chose to intervene and instructed South Tyneside Council to submit the plan and we have been told he is mindful of this while determining the next steps for the examination.
South Tyneside Council has told us that they will write to us and all those who made comment, when I they have information to share.
They have assured us that the website has all of the latest news, posts and updates.
Appointment of Inspector
On 20 March 2025, a letter was received from the Planning Inspectorate appointing an inspector to examine the South Tyneside Local Plan.
The submission documents are available in the examination library.
This Government is changing the Planning rules again!
As some councils and residences are fighting and in some cases, stopping inappropriate house building, this government has announced more changes to the planning rules. Click here to read.
As you will be aware, STC has made the statement that:
‘The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now intervened in the Borough’s Local Plan. The Minister of State for Housing and Planning has issued an intervention notice directing that South Tyneside Council must submit the existing draft Local Plan for examination in public by 12 March 2025.’
Many people believe that this action undermines local democracy.
In fact STC has failed to follow paragraphs; 9, 15, 16c, 61, 72 and 124 in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Whilst we do have some knowledgeable people, we are not lawyers and we are now at the point where we need your help to fund legal expertise. Without legal guidance this dangerous precedent will go unchallenged and may become a standard practice for STC.
We need your support, any donation is precious to our and your cause.
Please click image to go to our funding page.
Thanks in advance
South Tyneside Environmental Protection – STEP:
has produced a number of articles, reports and questions related to South Tyneside, the Draft Local Plan, the actions of our Councillors and many other probing observations.
Click here to read comments linked to the Fellgate Green Belt
Click here: A link to their FaceBook Page
Click to read about Land Definitions and Differences
Once again we are hearing from residences that Roham Hass land is contaminated.
The official status of the land:
1. Contaminated land in South Tyneside (click this link to read their report): this link is the source reference, so just in case it disappears into oblivion;
It states and we quote: “Some sites in South Tyneside have previously been used for industrial purposes”. “Work has been carried out to make these sites safe”.
More importantly, it also states:
“There are currently no ‘contaminated land’ sites as defined under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in the borough”
“South Tyneside does not have a contaminated land register.”
2. Gov.uk Land contamination: technical guidance (click this link to read their report)
Everyone of these bullet points will have an some level of impact on the people of South Tyneside, parts of Gateshead and Sunderland. The following area’s Fellgate, Hedworth, Monkton and Primrose will suffer the most specifically with Traffic Congestion and the pollution caused, the probable destruction of the current wild-life habitats, along with the established wild life corridor. An increased threat of flooding, which may have an direct link to insurance premiums. The loss of farm land, the animals and the jobs associated with keeping the greenbelt as it should be.
South Tyneside population has been on a downward trend since 1991
- Has the draft South Tyneside Local Plan been positively prepared in terms of housing numbers and population projections?
- Has the Labour Councillors understood the data that has been produced by ONS:
(office national statistics – the governments office data source) - Click here to Read the facts
Environmental Issues
- Loss of Green Belt Land: Destruction of natural landscapes, reducing open spaces and impacting local ecosystems.
- Drainage Problems: Fellgate has a bed of Clay with limited top soil therefore drainage takes time, it increases the water retention and the risk of waterlogging. Diverting surface water into the burns will increase the flooding in the surrounding areas of Monkton Burn, Calf Close Burn, the SUD’s in and around the Fellgate estate and further downstream, impacting Calf Close and Primrose.
- Carbon Footprint: Increased emissions from construction, transport, and additional residents.
- Loss of Carbon Sink: Green belt land absorbs CO₂, and its removal contributes to higher atmospheric CO₂ levels.
- Disruption to Water Tables: Evidence shows that large-scale developments alter groundwater levels, affecting nearby burns, ecosystems and other low lying structures. e,g houses below the groundwater table.
- Increased Demand on Resources: Water, energy, and waste disposal demands will surge.
- Loss of Agricultural Land: If the area was used for farming, it reduces local food production and increases reliance on imports.
- Heat Island Effect: Urban development on previously green land can increase local temperatures.
- Light and Noise Pollution: Increased human activity, street lighting, and traffic contribute to disturbance.
Wildlife Concerns – clickable link
- Habitat Destruction: Loss of woodlands, hedgerows, and grasslands essential for local species.
- Disruption of Migration Paths: Animals such as deer, foxes, and badgers may be forced to navigate urban areas, increasing roadkill incidents.
- Threats to Birds and Insects: Removal of trees and plants can severely impact bird populations and pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Disruption of Water Bodies: Potential contamination and disruption of nearby burns, ponds, lakes and rivers.
- Fragmentation of Ecosystems: Development will cut through the wildlife corridor, leading to the destruction and or isolating populations.
- Impact on Protected Species: Endangered species in the wild life corridor will be at risk.
Traffic Issues – clickable link
- Increased Congestion: Recent national surveys suggest a housing development of 1,200 houses could mean 2400 – 3000 additional vehicles on the local and nearby roads.
- Strain on Existing Road Infrastructure: Nearby roads are not be designed to handle the additional traffic load.
- Risk of Increased Accidents: More vehicles and pedestrians and school children increase the likelihood of traffic collisions.
- Parking Shortages: Higher densities homes can result in insufficient parking provision this will lead to on-street parking and congestion.
- Increased Air Pollution: More vehicles result in higher emissions of CO₂, NOx, and tyre particulates.
- Public Transport Overload: There has been no additional provision for local bus and Metro expansion services, if they become overwhelmed, vehicles use will increase beyond local road capacity.
- Rat Running: Drivers are already diverting through estates and village roads, current disruptions and safety concerns are increasing.
- Emergency Response Delays: The new Tri-station is located on these rat-run roads and visual evidence has shown that at peak times increased traffic does slow down emergency services.
Flooding Probabilities Click here for those who say there is no flooding at Fellgate
For doubting councillors see one of your own signs.
- High Water Retention in Clay Soil: Clay retains water, leading to prolonged surface flooding.
- Increased Surface Runoff: Concrete and tarmac prevent water absorption, worsening runoff.
- Overloaded Drainage Systems: Local drainage infrastructure may not be able to cope with excess water.
- Increased Risk to Nearby Homes: New developments can shift water flow patterns, affecting existing properties.
- Flash Flooding: Projected – due to global warming will result in more sever bouts of heavy rainfall this will lead to rapid accumulation of water and local flooding.
- Saturation of Sewer Systems: Combined sewage and rainwater overflows and current Northumbria Water practice of releasing raw sewage into local water ways will lead to contamination.
- Erosion of Nearby Land: Waterlogged soil can cause landslides or soil erosion. Fellgate and Calf Close has experienced subsidence.
- Water Table Rise: Generally large scale development will force underground water to rise, flooding will occur in low-lying areas.
Extent of Pollution
- Air Pollution: Increased emissions from construction, traffic, reduction of green space contributes to higher atmospheric CO₂ levels.
- Water Pollution: Risk of contaminants from construction sites entering nearby rivers and groundwater.
- Soil Contamination: Chemical runoff from construction materials and household waste can degrade soil quality.
- Noise Pollution: Continuous construction noise followed by long-term urban noise impact.
- Light Pollution: Increased street lighting disrupting nocturnal wildlife and reducing visibility of night skies.
- Microplastic and Litter Pollution: Urban developments typically lead to increased waste and microplastic dispersal.
- Sewage Management Issues: Higher waste output could strain sewage treatment capacity, leading to pollution incidents.