South Tyneside's long-awaited local plan is finally given the go-ahead
South Tyneside Council's major local plan approved by councillors, despite concerns over impact on Green Belt v.1
A controversial blueprint paving the way for thousands of new homes across South Tyneside has finally been approved after years of delays, political battles and government intervention.
Councillors voted on Thursday to adopt the borough’s local plan, which will shape where homes, jobs and infrastructure are built until 2040, despite continuing opposition over Green Belt development, pressure on public services and the loss of open space.
The long-awaited strategy includes major housing allocations across the borough, with proposals for Green Belt land at Fellgate remaining among the most contentious elements.
Previous attempts to move the plan forward were refused by South Tyneside councillors back in September 2024 and again in February 2025, which led to the government intervening in the local plan process, stating it must be progressed.
A final vote was taken on the local plan on Thursday after a planning inspector found the plan ‘sound’, subject to a number of modifications.
Despite concerns raised by opposition councillors, including Green Party, Labour Party and independent representatives, it was passed by a majority vote.
A report to the Reform UK-led council said the authority had a statutory duty to maintain an up-to-date local plan and warned failure to adopt it could leave the council open to legal challenge, reduce its ability to control future development and trigger further government intervention.
Councillor David Royal, Reform UK cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and investment, said the council had one of the oldest local plans in the country and that “difficult decisions” had not been made in the past.
He added the council had invested “significant time, money and resources” in preparing the plan, which would be wasted if it was not adopted.
He said the local plan was about more than housing, with policies around economic growth, supporting the regeneration of town centres and protecting green spaces and valuable and historic environments.
Councillor Rachael Taylor, leader of the Green Group, said the government was “forcing 5,000 homes on us” over the plan period through an “unwanted and unsustainable local plan”.
She said there were still concerns about flood risk, pressure on an “inadequate sewerage system”, long-term impacts on wildlife, the loss of green spaces and whether the plan would deliver enough affordable housing.
Labour councillor Geraldine Kilgour, who represents the Fellgate and Hedworth ward where the local plan earmarks land for major housing development, raised matters on behalf of campaigners about the impact of the plan on the Green Belt and a working farm.
Other concerns centred on traffic, sewerage infrastructure, school places and healthcare services.
Councillor Kate Owens-Palmer, of the South Tyneside Alliance Group, noted the council was discussing an “inherited Labour-developed plan” and asked Reform UK’s new administration what “fresh engagement” was undertaken or alternatives explored.
She added: “The plan before us should just do more than reconciling a new administration to an old faded plan that has been rejected twice, with the communities here expected to live with the consequences.
“A fresh mandate should have been brought.”
A vote to officially adopt the local plan was eventually passed by South Tyneside Council with 34 votes in favour and 13 votes against.