South Shields ship repair yard gets go-ahead for new jetty - despite residents' protest

UK Docks was awarded a five-year Ministry of Defence contract to maintain its fleet of small boats – 166 vessels – in 2014.

To accommodate the work, a planning application was submitted to South Tyneside Council to demolish a single-storey office block and workshop on Tyne Slipway, in River Drive, South Shields.

In its place, a new two-storey block will be created, which will include a winch house and staff facilities, plus a new boat shed.

There will also be an extension to the current shed – which doesn’t have planning permission and will remain unauthorised – along with a new jetty.

South Tyneside Council’s planning committee approved the application.

However, 103 people – living mainly in the surrounding area – raised objections to the plans, citing concerns for noise, unsociable working hours, parking issues and the loss of light.

Coun Jeff Milburn, who is a member of the planning committee, said: “I was in favour of the plans.

“I do realise there was people against them, but this is a very lucrative contract and it’s bringing ships back to the Tyne.

“This boat yard has been here for many years. If you buy a house next to a boat yard, you have to accept there will be noise.

“But measures are being taken to address any issues.”