Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum has submitted a formal objection to the proposed development of 205 homes on land at Mill Lane.

We have carried out a detailed and evidence-based review of the application, including:

• The Whitburn Neighbourhood Plan
• National planning policy (NPPF)
• The emerging Local Plan and its evidence base
• The applicant’s technical reports (transport, drainage, ecology and more)
• Local data and first-hand evidence from residents

Our objection brings all of this together into a clear and robust case for refusal.

Why we object
​In summary, this development is wrong in principle, wrong in location, and wrong in scale. It would cause irreversible harm to the environment and local landscape, increase pollution, and place unsustainable pressure on already overstretched infrastructure and services.
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• It conflicts with planning policy and does not amount to sustainable development
• It undermines the Local Plan, where this site was assessed and rejected
• It fails to meet required standards and does not deliver the improvements required by the Whitburn Neighbourhood Plan
• It is inappropriate development in the Green Belt and fails to meet the required tests
• It is in an unsustainable location, meaning residents will be heavily reliant on cars
• It fails to provide the infrastructure needed to support it, including schools, GP services, transport and sewage capacity
• It would cause serious and irreversible harm to biodiversity, including important habitat for waders
• It would damage the landscape and rural character that makes Whitburn unique
• It would worsen traffic, road safety and air quality, particularly around Marsden Primary School and the centre of the village
• It relies on flawed and inconsistent drainage assumptions, including claims of drainage improvements that are not supported by evidence.

This is a large-scale speculative development that ignores both planning policy and the clear limits of the village.
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Read the full objection
Our full submission sets out the evidence in detail and explains why this application should be refused.

Story Homes has applied for planning permission to build 205 houses in the Green Belt surrounding Marsden Primary School, which would add more than 10% to Whitburn's population. You can comment on the planning application until 13 March and we encourage all residents to do so. The Forum will be submitting an objection.

There is a residents meeting (not organised by the Forum) arranged for Thursday 5th March 7pm. 
The venue is the Whitburn Methodist Church Hall 
North Guards, Whitburn, SR6 7AF. Entry via the main church doors

A petition has been started here: https://www.change.org/p/protect-and-preserve-the-green-fields-around-marsden-primary-school-whitburn

We have found that the proposal will not lead sustainable development. There aren't enough school places, there is no dentist, and the GP is over capacity. This means people will have no choice but to drive to the places they need to go, which will lead to more congestion on the roads. There is also not enough capacity in the sewer system.

The fields are also being used by waders, including curlew. The proposed compensation fields will be too disturbed and it is unlikely birds will return there.

Building on these fields will do significant harm to the character and natural environment of Whitburn.

Go to  https://planning.southtyneside.info/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/NewApplicationsSearch.aspx and  search for application 260049