South Tyneside local plan: Hearings over key development blueprint delayed amid access concerns
The second stage of public hearings as part of an independent examination of South Tyneside Council’s proposed local plan have been pushed back until January.
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.
Despite the local plan twice being rejected by councillors, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning issued an intervention notice directing the council to submit the plan for independent examination in public.
The sessions are to help the inspector determine if the plan is ‘sound’.
The first stage of hearings were completed over a two week period in July this year at the Clarion Hotel in Boldon, which has since become Holiday Inn Newcastle South.
A second stage of hearings had been scheduled to take place over a two week period later this month, starting on Tuesday, November 18 – with the first week being held in-person at the same venue and the second being held online.
However it has now been confirmed the hearings have been pushed back and will take place in the first month of 2026 over the weeks beginning January 12 and 19 – with all sessions being held in-person at the Holiday Inn Newcastle South.
A notice has been published by Inspector David Spencer, appointed by the Secretary of State to conduct the hearings, outlining the decision.
It stated earlier this month a note was published “explaining that there were genuine reasons why the stage two hearings could not sit in person starting on 18 November as previously programmed.”
The notice added: “To avoid delay to the examination process I had agreed to hold both weeks on-line as a practical fall-back option.
“Following feedback received and to ensure fair and equal access to participate and follow the hearings I have decided to make these further changes.
“An amended programme will be published shortly with the revised dates. The intention is to run the same programme but on the new dates.”
Topics to be covered in the stage two hearings include housing allocations in the main urban area, healthy communities, sufficient supply of homes, securing sustainable residential development and climate change.
Sessions will also cover proposals for the land at the former Chuter Ede Education Centre, economic development and vitality of centres, infrastructure and transport and flood risk and water quality, among other topics.
Issues which were discussed as part of the first stage of hearings included housing needs and requirements, the amount of development being planned for, spatial strategy and Green Belt issues.
Dedicated hearing sessions were also held to discuss different sites featured in the plan including land in Fellgate, Whitburn, Cleadon, East Boldon, Town End Farm, Hebburn and Wardley Colliery.
Numerous speakers from a variety of community groups and organisations, along with council officers, all attended and voiced their views as part of the process.