South Tyneside Council to launch a new Local Plan process alongside its existing plan
South Tyneside Council’s Cabinet has approved the start of work on a new Local Plan.
Work on a new Local Plan for South Tyneside is set to get underway as the current plan continues to go through the Examination in Public process.
South Tyneside Council’s Cabinet has made the decision to begin an entirely new plan-making process under a revised national planning system, which reforms the way councils plan for housing, jobs and infrastructure.
The local authority has stated that it is separate from, and does not replace, the current South Tyneside Local Plan.
The current plan, which covers the period of 2023 to 2040, has already been examined by a Planning Inspector following public hearings.
South Tyneside Council remains under government direction to complete that process and consider the plan for adoption.
‘This is about meeting a new government requirement’
However, the new national planning rules now require some councils, including South Tyneside, to start on a new Local Plan.
The Council must formally give notice to start this process by June 30.
Cllr David Royal, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Investment, said: “This is about meeting a new government requirement to begin planning under a reformed system, while continuing to progress the Local Plan that is already well advanced.
“The two processes are running in parallel, but they are separate.
“Government has made it clear that if the council fails to make progress with plan-making, they will consider intervening to accelerate progress. The council has already been subject to intervention for the current draft Local Plan.
“Starting work on a new Local Plan now ensures the borough is meeting government expectations and gives us time to work carefully with residents and stakeholders on the long‑term future of South Tyneside.”
Starting a new Local Plan
The notice of intention to begin preparing a new Local Plan will be published, alongside a timetable setting out how the plan will be produced.
A formal scoping consultation will take place later this year, alongside a ‘call for sites’ inviting landowners and others to put forward land for consideration.