Page last updated 21st February 2026
As always, and for completeness all official documents are available via this link:
Latest news – South Tyneside Council
Mr Spencer (the government Inspector) 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’.
Stage One and Stage Two public hearings:
Streamed on YouTube: Click the session to watch:
As you know the Local Plan examination was videoed and published on YouTube. A YouTube transcript facility which converts the recorded speech to text is also available.
Using AI (artificial intelligence) analysis of all the transcripts, we have been able to produced documents in the form of minutes. (NOTE: they are NOT official minutes of the hearing). These documents were intended to simplify and summarise what was said, what was agreed / disagreed and any Actions with Responsibilities taken from the recorded Transcript.
The council has received and published both Stage 1 and Stage 2 post hearing letters from the inspector which are available via these links: Stage 1 post hearing Stage 2 post hearing
It is clear that the actions and responsibilities gained from the content of transcripts us AI technologies, and published in the documents below do not directly match the actions outlined in the Inspectors post hearing letters.
The council has informed us that:
“The only actions for stage 1 that the council are required to respond to are those which were set out in the Inspectors Stage 1 Post hearing letter. We have responded to those specific actions and publicised those responses”.
“The only actions for the Council from stage 2 relate to the Main Modifications as set out in Appendix of the Inspectors letter”
Matter 1: Legal and procedural requirements Tuesday 8th July 10am
Minutes from Stage 1 Matter 1 – Legal & Procedural Requirements – Tuesday 8th July 2025
Matter 2: The amount of development needed plan Period Wed 9th July 2025area
Minutes Stage 1 Matter 2 Amount of development-Plan period & Housing Need – 9th July 2025
Minutes from Stage 1 Matter 2 Amount of Development Needed Issue 3 Employment Land
Matter 3: The spatial strategy for sustainable development Wednesday 9th July 2pm
Minutes Stage 1 Matter 3 Spatial Strategy for Sustainable Development 9th- July 2025
Minutes Stage 1 Matter 4 Strategic & General Approach to Site Selection Thursday 10th July 2025
<<<Matter 5: Strategic allocations that would require an alteration to the green belt boundary>>>
GA1: Hebburn Campus & SP14 Wardley Colliery
Minutes from Hebburn Campus SP7 GA1 and Wardley Colliery SP14 Friday 11th July 2025
Minutes from Stage 1 Matter 5 Issue 2 – Fellgate Sustainable Growth Area SP8 Tues15th July
A Traffic summary analysis of SP8 (Fellgate)
Minutes from Matter 5 Issue 3 Land and North Farm East Boldon SP7GA2 Wednesday 16th April 2025
North of Town End Farm SP7 / GA3
Minutes from Matter Issue 4 North-of-Town-End-Farm-SP7GA3-Wednesday-16th April 2025
West Hall Farm Cleadon SP7 / GA4 and Whitburn Lodge and Shearwater SP7 / GA5 & GA6
Administrative discussion Thursday 17th July 2pm
Minutes From Matter 5 Administrative Discussions Thursday 17th July
Stage Two public hearings: Streamed on YouTube: Click the session to watch or read Transcript
Matter 6: Issue 1 & 2 – Housing Allocations in the Main Urban Area & Regeneration Sites – Tuesday 13
Minutes of Matter 6 Issue 1& 2 Housing Allocations – Main Urban Regeneration Sites Tue 13th Jan 26
Matter 7: Issue 1 – Securing Sustainable Residential Development – Wednesday 14th Jan
Minutes of Matter 7 Issue 1 Securing Sustainable Residential Development – Wednesday 14th Jan 2026
Matter 9: Issue 1,2 & 3 – Climate Change, Water & Health – Wednesday 14th Jan
Minutes of Matter 9 Issue 1 2 3 – Climate Change Water & Health – Wednesday 14th Jan 2026
Residual Matters from stage 1 and Matter 7 Issue 2 – sufficient supply of homes Thursday 15th Jan
Minutes of Residual Matters Stage 1, Matter 7 Issue 2 Sufficient supply of homes Thur 15th Jan
Matter 11 Infrastructure and Transport Friday 16th Jan.
Minutes of Matter 11 Infrastructure and Transport Friday 16th Jan 2026
Matter 8 – Economic Development and Vitality of Centres & Matter 9 Issue 4 – Design
Minutes of Matter 8 Economic Development and Vitality of Centres Matter 9 Iss 4 Design Tue 20 Jan 26
Matter 10 – Natural Env open Spaces and Historic Environment – Tuesday 20th Jan
Minutes of Matter 10 Natural Env open Spaces & Historic Environment Tues 20th Jan 2026
Matter 11 – Plan Wide Viability and Administrative session with Council and Programme Officer
Previous information regarding the Hearings has been moved the Page: News Latest