Council chiefs in South Tyneside have made “good progress” in responding to the “ecological emergency” – although calls have been made to do more around areas including playing pitches.

The latest borough-wide meeting of South Tyneside Council was given an update on the actions taken by the local authority from April 2024 to March 2025 to address the “urgent decline in biodiversity and the natural environment”.

The council declared an ecological emergency in 2023, and since then the local authority has embedded nature recovery into its services and decision making.

placeholder image — South Shields Town Hall | LDRS

Council chiefs said over the past year they have made “good progress”, not only meeting new statutory requirements but also setting a high standard for other local authorities.

Labour’s Councillor Margaret Meling, cabinet member for economic growth and transport, who presented the report at the latest full council meeting, said the local authority has carried out “key” work and has shown “leadership and commitment” on the issue.

Speaking at the meeting, she added: “Nature is still in serious decline and that affects all of us, our air, water, food and wellbeing.

“This report shows how we’re responding locally, not just because we have to do so by some element of law, but because it is the right thing to do for our communities and future generations.

“This update shows that our ecological emergency declaration is more than words, it’s driving real change. We’re proud of the progress, but we know there is more to do.”

Councillor Kate Owens-Palmer, South Tyneside Alliance Group representative, voiced her support for the policies but raised concerns over playing fields subject to development in the borough not being replaced in a “like for like manner”.

She added: “I just believe it’s really important to broaden our approach and support nature in the most appropriate and effective ways that we can as a council.”

Her group colleague Councillor Paul Brenen echoed her worries.

He added: “I’m concerned about the number of playing fields the council is losing.

“We’ve lost numerous amounts now, and I can’t recall us getting like for like in any of them.”

Cllr Meling responded by noting she is “very keen that fields are replaced like for like”.

Labour’s Councillor Geraldine Kilgour also welcomed the work the council was doing and highlighted how pitches, such as some in Hebburn, were being “bettered”.

She said: “It’s not just about retaining them, it’s about the betterment of them and bringing them back into use rather than allowing them to worsen and being unable to be used.”

She added tree planting also needs to be encouraged and a “big issue at the moment” is around ensuring developers have a “social conscience” to ensure sites are “enriched” in terms of biodiversity.

Councillor Rachael Taylor, Green Group leader on the council, said she applauds the work the local authority is doing but they must be “honest about the reality we are operating in”.

She said: “Much of the development affecting South Tyneside is not being driven by local choice, but forced upon this council through central government policy and the local plan process.

“The reality is that people who care about nature are increasingly being left to fight over scraps after development has already taken place and so-called mitigation for environmental damage.

“We need to be clear about the pressures we face, the limit of local power, and the need to keep speaking up for wildlife, our green spaces, for future generations.”

Her group colleague Councillor Shirley Ford added that to fully achieve the aims of the plan beyond the statutory duties “additional resourcing will be required”.

Councillor Nicky Gynn, Green Group representative, said her “big concern” is that “as long as we continue to use pesticides and herbicides, nature is not going to recover”.

Cllr Meling said that is “a national consideration” but they will look at what they can do locally.

Recent progress in response to the local authority’s ecological emergency declaration includes more than 3,000 native trees being planted across the borough, while key sites have been managed to improve habitats for wildlife.

Through the planning process, the council has secured nearly 6.5 hectares of land for biodiversity enhancement, with further sites identified to ensure improvements remain within South Tyneside and are protected for decades to come.

Achieving ‘Responsible Body’ status has enabled the council to enter into Conservation Covenants, providing long-term legal protection for habitats and attracting private investment in nature recovery.

The development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been shaped by extensive public engagement, with overwhelming support from residents for protecting and restoring nature.

Meanwhile the council’s commitment extends to the coastline, where a dedicated coastal ecology officer has delivered dozens of engagement events, launched new digital platforms, and continued the successful protection of nesting ringed plovers at Jackie’s Beach, Whitburn.