Residents Reminded to Give Their Views on Open Spaces

South Tyneside residents and businesses are reminded that time is running out to have their say on the Borough's open spaces as part of planning for future development.

A public consultation exercise, which will help form the evidence base for the upcoming Local Plan, comes to an end next week.

Open spaces include areas like parks, beaches, children's play areas, cemeteries, wildlife sites and allotments. The study will assess their usage, demand, and value.

Residents are invited to complete an online survey and respond to questions such as how far they have to travel to get to open spaces, how often they use them, and if they can identify any potential improvements.

Local Plans must be supported by a robust and up to date evidence base; the existing Open Space Study is out of date.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said: "We've listened to what residents told us during the recent regulation 18 Local Plan consultation and we know that open spaces are really important to them, so we'd encourage anyone who hasn't yet had their say, to get involved in the consultation.

"Our communities value the role they play in terms of their health and wellbeing, for socialising, and for mitigating climate change.

"Now we want to learn more about how, why and when they use open spaces and what they think about existing provision.

"The findings of this consultation will help in the preparation and ongoing development of the emerging Local Plan.

The consultation ends on Friday November 4, and the survey is available at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay