Site pages last updated 15th April 2025

On 14th December 2024 the SavetheFellgateGreenBelt working group met with Kate Osborne and Cllr Geraldine Kilgour to discuss the next steps in the campaign.
We covered a number of topic such as South Tyneside approach to the Local Plan, the concerns that brown field and derelict land is still not being considered for regeneration, even though it is Government Policy, understanding the current status of the Rohm & Haas land in the centre of Jarrow, the publication of the updated National Planning Policy Framework and her correspondence to the Leader of South Tyneside Council.
Kate has said on her Facebook page:
“I spent this morning catching up with the Save Fellgate Greenbelt group and Cllr Geraldine Kilgour to discuss the next steps in the campaign. Our Government has been very clear that we inherited a Housing crisis and we will deliver housing reforms and planning reform to ensure we have the housing our country needs, we have been just as clear that Local Councils must adopt a ‘brownfield first’ approach to development and look at poorer quality ‘grey belt’ land.
South Tyneside Council have not done that and I have written to them again this week urging them to look at the many alternative options and potential brownfield sites”.

The working group thanks her for taking the time to meet with us. There was a great deal of positives that came from the meeting which going forward, will hopefully help in our Campaign to Save the Fellgate Green Belt. Your ongoing support is appreciated.

We have requested further updates from Kate and have emailed her several times, also Kate visited a number of houses on Fellgate, and we explained that we have not received and responses to our requests.

National Planning Policy Framework
On the 12th December 2024 the government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework. This sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.
A link to the Policy paper National Planning Policy Framework where you can download it to your computer.
A Link to an online searchable version of National Planning Policy Framework
Annex 1: Implementation
This section explains how councils should proceed. This in my opinion is complicated and it will be down to South Tyneside to consider the implications of this framework.
In this annex alone there are over 26 conditions/options that the council must consider in order to act on this Implementation.
Therefore, quite rightly South Tyneside Council will need time review this document, identify where in the process the current defeated Local Plan sits and how they intend to address the implication raised from Local Plan motion.
We implore that South Tyneside keeps the residences of South Tyneside in the communication loop and not make any rash decisions to force the current Local Plan through.

Land that could be used for Housing
(based on central government comments and changes to legislation)

Following further investigations by a member of the group and other discussions in relation to the land where Rohm & Haas had their industrial works(closed over 18 years ago), we were told from several sources and some councillors that the land is contaminated.
Our investigations found some historic information and a report from Tyne & Wear Fire Service along with discussions in the House of Lords which we are still reviewing.

Also we have the following from South Tyneside Council’s web site and from Gov.uk. web site.:

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)

A Must Read – We need your Help

Click this link to follow posts relating to South Tyneside plan to resubmit the defeated Local Plan

On 12th December 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister & Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local
Government published a document called: -> Building the homes we need. <-Click this link to read.
This document outlines 10 principal changes. These changes will take place 3 month after it publication (e.g. on 12th March 2025) and councils have to provide up to date plan timetables within these 12 weeks. Angela Rayner reiterates that she is prepared to use intervention powers if necessary to ensure plans are prepared and adopted.

Click here to read the key messages from the response.

These responses, should clearly define South Tyneside Local Nature Strategy.
Fellgate’s Green Belt should be at the top of the list. It is an oasis of bio-diversity and natural habitat providing a home to many forms of wildlife.
However whilst this response is encouraging, it does NOT answer the initial question: which local areas are important for nature, or that could be improved for nature?
South Tyneside Council need to explain how these results will steer their strategy and the area’s that need protection from any forms of housing developments.
Fellgate Green Belt needs to be an integral part of South of Tyne and Wear’s Local Mature Recovery Strategy. The evidence can be seen by looking at our pictures and videos, via the menu.

Our MP, Kate Osborne, recently voiced her support for Asthma + Lung UK in Parliament, highlighting their report on essential actions to significantly improve lung health. Kate pointed out, “In my constituency, asthma rates are higher than both the national and Northeast average.”
This is especially relevant for the Save the Fellgate Green Belt campaign, as we face the possibility of local and central government deregistering this Green Belt land to build 1,200 or more homes.
Such a development would not only worsen existing traffic congestion but also significantly increase air pollution.
Asthma + Lung UK’s report, The Right to Breathe, (click here to read) provides valuable guidance on living with lung conditions, the dangers of air pollution, and how different types of pollutants impact lung health. Many of our members are affected by lung-related issues, and Kate’s concern about higher asthma rates in her constituency is well-founded. However, it’s not just asthma; numerous lung conditions are worsened by particulate matter (PM).
PM levels are particularly high on busy roads, especially those frequented by heavy vehicles like lorries, and in areas where traffic moves slowly. PM is also produced from brake and tyre wear, as well as road dust, meaning that even electric vehicles contribute to this harmful pollution.
Click here for more evidence

The residence of Jarrow and Gateshead East welcome your support and it is very much appreciated. We hope this can be highlighted to the relevant Government Ministers and the Secretary of State.

Absolutely brilliant outcome from the CAF Meeting. The proposed funding for the fence along part of the A194, designed to reduce the risk of our resident the Green Belt Swans and their Cygnets, wandering onto the very busy A194 THE FUNDING WAS AGREED.
The design of the fence will hopefully last for many years, so lets continue in our campaign to ensure that the surrounding area remains the same for not just many years to come, but many generations to come. Thank you to all concerned.

A new menu link has been created called Gov Debates. This page will provide links to central government debates and evidence relating to land designations such as Green Belt, Grey Belt. Brown Field etc. From these debates, future legislation will determine the outcome of the Fellgate Green Belt.

We hope you are well and enjoying your walks taking in the beautiful Fellgate Green Belts Landscape. Just to let you know that the working group met on Tuesday last week to discuss issues related to our campaign. The recent NPFF consultation was discussed and the difficulties in completing it. Thanks to all who completed some of it. There is a lot going on in the background and we’ll pass information on to you as soon as we can. As a campaigning group we all need to keep adding the photographs and stories of what the Fellgate Green Belt means to us. We need to keep the wonderful wildlife that currently resides in the Fellgate Green Belts beautiful natural habitat ‘centre stage’ as well as highlight flooding and traffic issues that regularly occur in and around the area. We need to be ready for whatever South Tyneside Councils next step may be. Most of all, we need to Stay Positive
Dave N Doreen Green

STC – Part Minutes from 5th September 2024 – Item 6 South Tyneside Local Plan – Click here to read

Proposal to safeguard wildlife & users of A194
This meeting will now take place on: Monday 28th October 5.00 PM at Jarrow Town Hall

South Tyneside Local Plan was defeated.
The Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has closed.
The next steps following the closure of a National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation typically follow a structured process, ensuring that the government and or relevant planning authority properly considers feedback.

1. Review and Analysis of Feedback; 2. Consultation Report ; 3. Policy Revisions; 4. Internal and Interdepartmental Discussions; 5. Publication of Final NPPF; 6. Implementation Guidance; 7. Parliamentary or Legislative Scrutiny; 8. Training and Awareness; 9. Monitoring and Review

We do not have an official time scale when this activity will end. However, UK Parliament normally published a day by day of events for the House of Commons, House of Lords and Committees, So we should see in advance any activity on the outcomes of the consultation.
You can access the site here https://whatson.parliament.uk/

As you will know, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was seeking your views on how they might guide the revise national planning policy to support the new framework.

Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system. This activity is now closed and no more online responses will be accepted.

1st a big Thank You to all of our supporters, because of your unwavering support the Breaking news is as follows:
The group attended the Borough Council Meeting this evening 05/09/2024 and sat through what was an informative and emotional debate. There were rapturous rounds of applause from our group for Councillors who highlighted the faults within the Local Plan, associated with many issues that we ourselves have also raised. There were many and we thank them all . There is a bigger picture here but there were many points raised in relation to the loss of Green Belt within South Tyneside as a whole, and particularly the development on Fellgate that would bring with it lots of additional concerns. When the vote finally came the Local Plan was rejected so the Fellgate Green Belt is saved for now

Watch the meeting here: Note it is 3 hours
We can take stock for a short time but then we need to start planning on how we can truly:
Save the Fellgate Green Belt for our Generations to come. Well done everyone
Our fantastic supporters at the Town Hall in readiness for the big Vote

Step in the Local Plan

The Cabinet Meeting held on 27th August lasted all of 15 minutes and a group of our Campaigners sat through what can only describe as an orchestrated, script written performance which would have a good chance of winning an Oscar. A few Councillors stated that the Local Plan would: Ensure that South Tyneside would be a Healthier Place to live. That Bio-diversity Net Gain would far out weigh what would be lost. All 9 Cabinet Members as expected voted to put the Local Plan forward to Full Council Meeting on September 5th , South Shields Town Hall @ 6.00PM:
NOTE:
Also tabled at this meeting was Item 3 “Report to the Executive (Cabinet)” This report has a total of 282 pages which also includes, the draft Local Plan, Draft Local Plan Policies, Statement of Consultation (This document contains ISSUES RASIED BY REPRESENTAIONS (You and I) and the councils methodology on how they have interpreted these representation and the councils summaries of those representations. (This required further reading and our analysis)
There are several Appendix A – F with most stating:
“This information will be included as part of the submission to the Secretary of State in September 2024”.
Click here to download / read this report

If approved this building project could extend to 2040, resulting in decades of building.
Click here to read the impact to the surrounding area. along with the cause and types of various disruptions.

Save the Fellgate Green Belt on line petition which now has (2,543 signatures) has not been mentioned in STC’s Blueprint for Future Development announcement on Friday 16th August In fact nothing had been heard by the Petition Organiser Julie-Anne or ourselves following it’s ‘referral for consideration’ by the Mayor during the meeting on 25th July. On 18th and again 22nd August we asked the question as to whether it had been ‘shelved’. We were informed on 22nd that we should have been contacted by one of the STC Senior Managers on the 19th August. Confusing responses were received afterwards one of which was:
[The petition has been acknowledged and referenced in the supporting documentation (Appendix C – Statement of Consultation (Regulation 22 (c) Statement) – Cabinet Draft) Cabinet Report, South Tyneside Local Plan, 27th August 2024. There are no other applicable internal processes through which the information submitted in the Petition could be considered.]

We think and hope that it’s going be be mentioned in an appendix during the Cabinet Meeting on 27th August (see below). Personally we think our Petition has been collecting dust until after the STC announcement of the Blueprint for Further Development on the 16th August. If we had not queried it to it’s whereabouts and next steps we are sure that it still would be collecting dust.

Save the Fellgate Greenbelt campaign met with the BBC to continue highlighting the issues relating to the Greenbelt. Thanks to the campaign organisers and all that attended, noting that today was a normal work day for our residences.
Click here to see some photos of the event.
Link to BBC iplayer starts @ 1.08.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00227j4/look-north-north-east-and-cumbria-lunchtime-news-20082024

Cabinet to Consider Blueprint for Future Development

Cabinet will be asked to endorse the latest version of the Local Plan before it is referred to Borough Council on 5 September 2024
Click here to read South Tyneside council statement.

The New IAMP AAP

Both Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils have launched a consultation on a new IAMP AAP.
The first draft stage of the IAMP AAP (Regulation 18) will close at 5pm on Monday 23^rd September 2024. There are currently 10 documents which outline this proposal.
You MUST send your representation, so that it will be received by 5pm on Monday 23 September 2024. You can submit it via email to: planningpolicy@sunderland.gov.uk or by letter to the Planning Policy Team, Sunderland City Council, Sunderland City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland, SR1 3AA

Click here to open the “have your say”. This is Sunderland Council website. Note: there are no online forms for this process.

News	Date
Click to read the article in the Shields Gazette About our campaign which highlights the flawed local plan consultation procedure.	7th Aug 2024
Letter to Tracey Dixon re Fellgate 19.7.24	26th July 2024
Update on Compliant to STC	20 June 2024
Shredding the green belt is a recipe for disaster. Click here to read the article	26 May 2023
Protecting Green Belt land Click here to read the Governments position	27 March 2021