Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum's response to the planning application for the Whitburn Lodge
You may have heard about the proposed redevelopment of Whitburn Lodge by Lovell Homes. In October, Lovell Homes submitted a planning application to South Tyneside Council, outlining their vision to build 32 houses (including 8 affordable houses) on the Whitburn Lodge site. The proposal involves demolishing the Lodge, clearing trees and bushes to remove contaminated soil, and implementing a sustainable drainage system. Despite these changes, public access to the Whitburn Coastal Park is expected to be maintained.
Community Involvement: To ensure the voice of the community was heard, the Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum hosted a public meeting. Residents expressed concerns, indicating that the proposal fell short of meeting community needs and lacked adequate community involvement.
Forum Response: In response, the Forum diligently reviewed the planning application in line with the Whitburn Neighbourhood Plan, a document holding the same legal weight as the council's local development plan. We then submitted our comments to the council. The findings revealed discrepancies – the proposals didn't align with the Neighbourhood Plan policies, and critical information, including a required landscape and visual assessment, was missing. Concerns and Impact: The Forum raised concerns about the potential environmental impact, particularly on the discharge of sewage in Whitburn's marine environment. Additionally, the redevelopment would result in a loss of 27% of natural habitats, even with the proposed replanting of trees.
Moving Forward: Crucially, the missing information hampers a comprehensive understanding of the proposals' impact on our local landscape. The Forum has taken proactive steps by formally requesting that the applicant provides the necessary details.
Get Involved: Please do share your thoughts, and let's ensure that any development aligns with the shared vision outlined in our Neighbourhood Plan.