Major update on plans for new Asda and flats at eyesore South Shields pub blighted by fly-tipping and crime

South Tyneside Council’s planning department has approved an application for the New Mill pub site on the corner of John Reid Road and Chesterton Road.

The former pub was recently the subject of a West Shields, Cleadon and East Boldon Community Area Forum over the summer, where councillors heard about issues with the vacant site, including fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.

Plans from Shire Land Inn Ltd submitted earlier this year (2025) sought permission to transform the vacant pub into two “retail units” and two “residential units”, along with “associated car parking and landscaping and infrastructure.”

A previous design and access statement submitted with the application said plans for the ground floor included a 400m2 retail unit and a 139m2 retail unit, as well as two self-contained one-bedroom apartments on the first floor.

Floor plans showed each first floor apartment offering a single bedroom, kitchen / living area, store and en-suite bathroom / shower room.

A sequential assessment submitted to council officials also confirmed the largest unit on the former pub’s ground floor was being earmarked for “end user” Asda as a “convenience store”, although council planning documents stated “no specific use has been identified” for the other unit.

Previous planning documents from the applicant confirmed the proposals had been “designed to utilise the existing access and approach to the site”, including the site accommodating HGV deliveries, along with cycle parking and electric vehicle charging facilities.

Those behind the scheme said plans would “retain the character of the existing building within the surrounding area”, keeping many of the former pub’s “original features” and that a “single storey extension” was proposed “to allow for the creation of high quality shop fronts, as well as providing the gross internal areas required by the occupiers.”

During a council public consultation exercise on the plans there was one public objection raising concerns about “traffic congestion” near a school and one representation welcomed the conversion of the pub site, which they said was “already being vandalised and does not look good on a busy main road.”

Councillor Rachael Taylor, representative for Biddick and All Saints ward, said the plans would convert the “deteriorating” former pub site into a “vibrant local asset consisting of a small supermarket, a bakery, and two residential flats”.

The ward councillor said she had contacted residents living near the site and said there was “overwhelming local support for this application” which would “enhance day-to-day convenience, encourage footfall, and help to revitalise this part of the Biddick Hall Estate”.

Cllr Taylor’s statement, included in a council decision report on the plan, added: “Currently, the former pub building is a blight on the area and an eyesore upon entry into the estate and a known hotspot for antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping.

“The site’s neglected condition undermines community pride and safety [and] the proposed development represents not just a functional improvement but a symbolic one: a shift toward regeneration, investment, and care for our neighbourhood.”

After considering the planning application and assessing it against planning policies, South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved it on November 26, 2025.

Council planners, in a decision report, said the plans in policy terms would “simply replace an existing main town centre use with another such use, albeit on a slightly extended scale”.

It was noted that “there would be no significant harm to the vitality and viability of the borough’s defined centres subject to a condition restricting the range of goods that can be sold within the units”.

Council planners also said the “proposal would result in the re-use of a currently vacant building and would provide social and economic benefits (such as additional jobs) to the immediate vicinity and wider borough”.

The council decision report adds: “In respect of the loss of a public house, the condition of the vacant premises has deteriorated, with the council receiving complaints on this matter.

“It is noted that there are other public houses in the wider local area, and the site is not included on the council’s register of assets of community value.”

On the proposals for residential units at the site, council planners added there was an “urgent need to bring forward land for housing within South Tyneside given the council’s lack of a five-year housing land supply with 20 per cent buffer and poor housing delivery over the last three years which is substantially below what would be required by Government”.

In this context, it was argued that the “proposal for two additional residential units has the potential to positively contribute to addressing the current shortfall.”

The council decision report continues: “It is considered that the proposal is acceptable in principle in respect of the change of use proposed and would result in no significant harm to the vitality and viability of existing retail centres.

“The new housing proposed would contribute to addressing the council’s currently deficient housing land supply/delivery.

“The use and operational development proposed would not result in harm to both visual and residential amenity, biodiversity or highway safety.

“Overall, the application of policies in this framework that protect areas or assets of particular importance does not provide a strong reason for refusing the development proposed and there are no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal, when assessed against the policies in the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework].”

Council planning documents said the “proposed opening hours for the two retail units is currently unknown as are details for the number of proposed employees.”

Proposed parking for the site includes 21 spaces to serve the two retail units and two apartments, with six of these spaces including electric vehicle charging points, along with cycle parking provision.

Under planning conditions, the development must be brought forward within three years.

For more information on the plan and council decision, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 250371

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