Government ruling sees South Shields 198-home scheme get final planning green light

Plans for a large housing development on South Tyneside College’s campus site have been given the final stamp of approval following a Government ruling.

South Tyneside Council’s Planning Committee earlier this month backed housing proposals for the 9.3-hectare site in St George’s Avenue, in Westoe, South Shields.

The campus, forming part of Tyne Coast College, is earmarked for demolition as part of plans to relocate the college and marine school to South Shields town centre.

Initial plans for 260 homes were approved by the council’s Planning Committee back in December, 2023, despite concerns from local councillors, residents and the town’s MP, and planning permission was issued in June 2025 following the completion of a legal agreement.

Miller Homes subsequently replaced Avant Homes as the developer of the site and lodged a bid to “vary” the original plans, reducing the number of homes to 198 and reducing the number of trees felled on site.

Council planners, in a presentation to councillors, said the principle of development “remains unchanged from the Avant Homes scheme”, including the “need for a £23 million capital receipt to be generated by the college from the sale of this site” to help facilitate the college's relocation plans.

South Tyneside Council’s Planning Committee backed the revised housing plans on March 9, 2026, subject to a call-in request from a “third party” asking the Government to decide the application.

This process has now concluded and the council confirmed the 198-home application was officially approved on March 25, 2026.

A letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed the "Secretary of State has decided not to call in this application" and was "content that it should be determined by the local planning authority."

Those behind the housing plans previously said the revised scheme was facilitated by replacing smaller properties with “larger detached homes."

It was noted that the previous section 106 legal agreement linked to the Avant Homes site would transfer to the Miller Homes development, with financial contributions towards sports provision, coastal mitigation, Readhead Park improvements and more.

A spokesperson for Tyne Coast College said: "We are delighted that final approval has been given for Miller Homes' revised application and look forward to seeing the project progress."

For more information, visit the council's planning portal website and search reference 260003 or visit the developer's website Scholars Park at Westoe Village.