Click to read more read more on this result
Click to read the article in the Shields Gazette
Click to read South Tyneside Council response
Click to read the article from the BBC
Click to see Supporters at the Town Hall
BIG WOW!
What an emotional morning for the residents of Fellgate, Hedworth, Calf Close and beyond.
It was an early start but residents of all ages, started arriving on the steps of South Tyneside Town Hall to protest against the Draft Local Plan, which as we all know included the 1200+ housing development on the Fellgate Green Belt. The protest was peaceful and at times loud but it certainly got the attention of morning commuters who constantly tooted their car horns in support 
Many of the group then stayed for the meeting and the atmosphere in the Council Chamber again was very emotional, with many in the public gallery still unsure of what the outcome of the final vote would be.
We listened to passionate speeches from Councillors and once again some scaremongering tactics coming from the Labour side of the Chamber.
All Councillors were aware of the possible consequences if the Local Plan was once again rejected, but it was the Labour Councillors (all but one) who appeared to be unaware of the damage that this flawed Local Plan would cause to the residents of South Tyneside, if it were approved.
It then came to the vote and this is where we have to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of the Councillors who voted to reject this flawed Local Plan.
The effort that these Councillors had put in to get to a meeting that had deliberately been called to minimise the chance of them attending was immense, and their stories will come out in future posts, but believe us many made personnel sacrifices to be there.
It is here though that I will now mention the Councillors of our very own Fellgate, Hedworth and Calf Close Ward. Labour Councillor Geraldine Kilgour and South Tyneside Alliance Group (STAG) Councillor Tony Roberts both spoke passionately during the debate in support of their residents, later voting to reject the Local Plan.
However, our third Councillor Jay Potts said nothing during the debate and then voted to approve the Local Plan.
Residence’s cannot find the words to describe his actions so we will leave it there!
As you are all probably now well aware the Local Plan was once again rejected for many different reasons but in our case, the Fellgate Green Belt is once again safe for now.
STC need to have a Local Plan drafted by December 2026 and it will once again have to go through the Regulation 18 and 19 Consultation periods, unless there is Government intervention.
The Working Group will get together very soon to discuss future options but remember as Campaigners, WE stayed strong as a Group, WE stayed Positive, WE kept up the pressure and WE won a second battle, but it’s not over and we must be ready for the next battle.
For the moment though take a walk up the Fellgate Paths, sniff that fresh air, say Hi to the resident wildlife, Wave to Farmer Geoff and family and enjoy the Fellgate Green Belt. 
