South Tyneside Council‘s final consultation on their Draft Local Plan is underway, residents have until 3rd March 2024 to leave comments.
The plan sets out the Council’s view of the borough from 2023-2040 and the consultation is run in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
Members of the Forum have a number of concerns about certain elements of the plan particularly developments in and around the Forum area.
For example:
- The plan omits any mention of the proposed development at Cleadon lane suggesting that East Boldon will only see 263 new houses on the North Farm (Boker Lane / New Road) site whereas the true number is 474 (including Cleadon Lane and Mayflower Glass).
- The housing needs assessment carried out as part of the approved Neighbourhood Plan was for 146 properties to 2031.
- There are no firm plans to improve the infrastructure in the area including traffic flows, school places and access to medical facilities.
- The plan does not acknowledge the impact of a further 659 houses which will be built just outside of the forum boundary, 400 at Town End Farm (near Nissan) and 259 at West Hall Farm, Moor Lane, Cleadon.
The Local Plan, supporting documents and consultation material are available online at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/localplan. Comments can be made online at the Council’s website, by email to local.plan@southtyneside.gov.uk or by post to Spatial Planning, Development Services, Regeneration and Environment, South Tyneside Council, Town Hall and Civic Offices, Westoe Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 2RL
Representations at this stage can only be made on the legal compliance and soundness of the Local Plan. That is, has the Plan been prepared in accordance with all legal and procedural requirements, and does the Plan meet the prescribed tests of soundness.
In relation to the soundness of the plan the following questions need to be asked:
Has the Plan been positively prepared to meet the objectively assessed need for homes, jobs, services and infrastructure and deliver sustainable development?
ls the Plan justified by a robust evidence base?
ls the Plan effective in delivering sustainable development?
ls the Plan consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for sustainable development?
Members of the Forum are working through the detail of the draft Local Plan and will seek the thoughts of members over the coming weeks.
If you live or work in the East Boldon Forum area then you are welcome to join the Forum. Please get in touch with us.
If you wish to contact us for any reason please leave your details on the Contact Us page.