East Boldon raises alarm over traffic, pollution and schools as huge new housing plans threaten village life

It comes after the recent first stage of public hearings to consider the “soundness‟ of the proposed South Tyneside Council local plan.

The document aims to provide a framework for where new homes, businesses, shops and leisure amenities will be built in the borough up until 2040.

It also aims to ensure the right infrastructure, such as roads, health facilities and schools, is in place to support growth.

During the two weeks of public hearings, held by an independent inspector, representatives from the East Boldon Neighbourhood Forum spoke to raise concerns over how the blueprint for development could impact the area.

This includes through the loss of Green Belt land, the effect on wildlife and the impact increased traffic will make to those living in the village in and around East Boldon village.

One of the hearing sessions focused on a section of land at North Farm in East Boldon, which is earmarked for an indicative 263 properties.

Chiefs from the East Boldon Forum have now spoken out to reiterate their concerns over potential development in the area.

Dr Kirstin Richardson, chair of the forum, has said the Victorian infrastructure of the village, with houses and schools built alongside the highway, means it is impossible for the village not to be affected by the number of houses proposed.

She said: “I’m especially concerned for young children and those with respiratory conditions.

“The noise from traffic and the increased danger from cars poses a serious risk.

“The recent article in the South Shields Gazette highlights how polluted the air already is in the village and this can only get worse.”

Meanwhile forum secretary Dave Hutchinson has stated traffic from several proposed housing sites would impact transport measures and would lead to longer queues and delays at the Tileshed railway crossing and East Boldon Metro crossing.

Such sites include the 202 houses proposed in Cleadon Lane, 263 houses at North Farm, East Boldon, and a further 259 at West Hall Farm, Cleadon.

Mr Hutchinson has written to the examiner to explain how schools and other services are at capacity and has asked for the North Farm site at Boker Lane to be reconsidered.

He said: “The [East Boldon] Neighbourhood Plan was supported by over 1,372residents, 95% of all those who voted.

“It identified that housing should be limited to a brown field site at Cleadon Lane, where 202 dwellings are currently proposed.

“We are not opposed to new houses, but local people believe that the Green Belt is important, and the village should not be swamped by excessive housing.‟

Council officers, speaking previously at the public hearing discussing the proposals for North Farm in East Boldon, argued the site is “well related to services and facilities in East Boldon.”

They added infrastructure plans identify “both existing travel and a proposed active travel route close to the site.”

Officers also stated there were “social infrastructure implications” from the development but they feel these can be dealt with through management plans and section 106 developer contributions.

Elsewhere local authority representatives at the hearing said the land was assessed in the South Tyneside Green Belt Study, with the site being rated “low” harm against three out of four criteria and “moderate” harm against the fourth.

They added there was a range of Green Belt compensatory measures that could be carried out as part of the proposals.

A second stage of hearings into the local plan are set to be held in November this year, which East Boldon Forum chiefs have said they will again attend.

The final outcome of the examination is not expected until next year.