Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum works with the local community and elected officials to preserve, enhance and protect the village of Whitburn

Making a difference

The forum was created in 2016 by a small group of like-minded and equally concerned individuals following a consultation by South Tyneside Council on potential development land in the area. This land review showed a potential for up to 1,000 houses being built in the small village of Whitburn and its surrounding green belt, which would drastically change Whitburn's unique character as the only rural and coastal village in the borough.

Working for a better Whitburn

Residents were concerned that the community would have no say in the future of Whitburn, therefore, it was decided to form a neighbourhood forum, with the aim of producing a neighbourhood plan. A neighbourhood plan includes policies that any planning applications will have to follow and is therefore able to set the direction of development for the next 20 years.

The plan is evidence based, which means that the community is consulted throughout the whole process. Moreover, additional evidence reports have been commissioned on specific topics, such as housing need and local character. 

The neighbourhood plan is written by and for residents and ensures that the needs of the community are taken into account whenever development takes place.

The designation of the Forum

After a public consultation by South Tyneside Council, Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum was designated in January 2017 for the purposes of the local community carrying out Neighbourhood Planning activities in the Whitburn area of South Tyneside.  The Neighbourhood Forum designation lasts for a period of five years. The designation also included the definition of the Whitburn Neighbourhood Area. You can find all the documents and the map that were part of the designation on South Tyneside Council's website.

The forum's structure

The Forum comprises an executive committee, additional committee members and forum members. The Forum holds regular meetings to keep residents up-to-date with progress, or to consult the community on the plan. Meetings are advertised on our website, Facebook and Twitter.

The executive officers are:
Chair man: Phil Leaf
Vice chair man: Steve Lavelle
Secretary: Jackie Leaf
Treasurer: Vacancy

Anyone who lives or works in Whitburn can become a forum member. It is easy to sign up through our website.

The forum depends on its volunteers to get the neighbourhood plan finished and adopted, so please get in touch if you would like to help out.