Plans approved for funeral directors in former South Shields shop unit

Earlier in August 2020, plans were lodged for a former shop space at 188 Whiteleas Way in South Shields.

This included transforming the vacant unit in a community shopping parade into a funeral directors with two chapels of rest.

During consultation, one objection was received from a Copley Avenue resident over the suitability of the location and potential noise pollution.

But South Tyneside Council’s planning authority approved the application on Friday, September 18.

The council’s environmental health experts said noise “should not be a barrier to approving [the] application.”

A decision report reads: “Any activity during the night as a result of this proposed change of use is likely to be intermittent, and will be limited to a very short period of activity of entering and exiting a vehicle [at] the application site.

“I do not believe that this type of noise will be so significant or regular as to cause disturbance to the amenity of residential neighbours.

“There are a number of existing units within this parade of commercial properties which receive deliveries early in the morning, and this has not resulted in any complaints from neighbouring residents, there is also late night activity at stores which again have not given rise to complaints of noise disturbance.”

Planners added that the proposals represented an “appropriate form of sustainable development” at Whiteleas Way.

The report goes on to say: “On a visit to the site, it was apparent that there was also a number of vacant premises along the row, including the unit to which this planning application relates.

“The development would bring a vacant unit back into use, providing employment and improving the vitality and viability of the local neighbourhood shopping centre.”

According to planning documents, the site will be operated by Richard Dalton Family Funeral Directors.

Work to convert the site must be brought forward within the next three years.

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