Have Your Say on South Tyneside Local Plan

Local people and businesses in South Tyneside are being invited to give their views on future development in the Borough.

Public consultation on the Council's draft Local Plan is now live, following Cabinet approval last week.

The consultation period will last for six weeks, and residents are being encouraged to have their say.

The Local Plan will provide a framework for where new homes, businesses, shops and leisure facilities will be built until 2039, and ensure that the right infrastructure, such as roads and schools, is in place to support growth.

Previous development plans have largely been able to protect the Green Belt by accommodating development needs within built-up areas and reusing brownfield sites, however there is now an acute undersupply of suitable land from non-Green Belt sources.

The latest 'Regulation 18' draft is one of several formal stages that a Local Plan must pass through by law, prior to adoption, and the council is now seeking feedback from residents.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said: ""It's vital that we have an up-to-date plan so that we maintain control over development in the borough; without one, we are vulnerable to development being imposed upon us and won't have the policies in place to ensure the quality of development that our communities deserve.

A local plan isn't just about building houses; it is about the fundamental fabric of the place in which we live. We want to create neighbourhoods that last a lifetime.

"Ultimately, it is about making the borough a thriving, attractive and prosperous place to live, work and visit, which benefits us all.

"It affects each and every one of us, which is why listening to local people is so important. Together we can shape the kind of high-quality development, with the complementary green spaces and infrastructure, that our residents want.

"The plan has to deliver maximum benefits for all sections of our community, now and in the future.

"We don't have all the answers - local people may have local knowledge that we are not aware of - so we are encouraging residents to get involved and have their say."

Over the coming weeks there will be a series of information events. There is no need to register for these, however residents are advised to arrive at the start as there will be a presentation followed by questions and answers. A presentation will also be taken to each of the borough's community area forums.

Consultation responses must be made in writing, through the appropriate channels, and must be received within the consultation period (20 June - 31 July inclusive).

To view the draft plan, details of events, plus how to give your views, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/localplan