Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum works with the local community and elected officials to preserve, enhance and protect the village of Whitburn
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Making a differenceThe 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.
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Working for a better WhitburnResidents 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. |
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The designation of the ForumAfter 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.
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The three stages of neighbourhood planning
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Forum creationThe first step in the process of creating a neighbourhood plan is to create a forum. Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum was founded in September 2016 by like-minded individuals who cared for their village. Whilst the initial forum size was around 20 local residents and employees, it is now over 200 and continues to grow.
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Plan creationOnce officially recognised as a neighbourhood forum by the local authority, the forum can begin to create a neighbourhood plan. Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum and the corresponding Whitburn neighbourhood area received official recognition in January 2017 by South Tyneside Council, after a public consultation was held.
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Plan adoption Finally, a draft plan after being scrutinised by the local authority, other planning bodies and by way of a local referendum can be brought into force. Once approved and in force, planning applications within the neighbourhood forum’s boundaries must be assessed against the neighbourhood plan created as well as other criteria.
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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.
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.
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.
Chairman
Phil Leaf |
Vice chairman
Steve Lavelle |
Treasurer
Ellen Bekker |
Secretary
Jackie Leaf |
