Local Plan impacts

The Draft Local Plan was published on 31st July. The council approved the draft plan on 7th August. A consultation period started 18th August and closes on the 11th October 2019. The Forum is seeking the views of the community to formally respond to the draft plan.
How will the plan affect Whitburn?
The draft South Tyneside Local Plan proposes to build at least 397 houses on 5 greenbelt sites in Whitburn between 2016 and 2036. These sites are at the Whitburn Lodge and adjacent horses' fields, at the Charley Hurley Centre (Cleadon Lane) and at land between Wellands Lane and Lizard Lane. ​Also see attached map for the location of the proposed sites.
How will these additional homes increase the population of Whitburn?
The current population of Whitburn is 5298 and the current number of dwellings is 2545 which gives an average number of people per dwelling as 2.08. If 397 of the proposed new dwellings were built the increase in population would be 825, a 16% increase. The office for national Statistics project an increase in population for the North East of England over the next ten years at 1.9% and the figure for South Tyneside is 1.2%. Whitburn will inevitably suffer a disproportionate population growth.
What type of houses can we expect to be built?
The sites on Whitburn green belt are very attractive to developers as they will be able to maximise their profits by building large executive type houses. The council have included in their policy their aim to increase the supply of detached homes in the Borough, including ‘executive’ housing.
When will the development take place?
The council have declared a minimum requirement of 350 houses per year. The council proposes to release Green Belt land to ensure enough houses can be provided in the first five years of the plan period. The Whitburn sites are therefore likely to be among the first sites in the borough to be developed.
How can the residents of Whitburn add their views to the Forum’s response to these proposals?

• Attend the forum meeting on 20th September, 7.30pm, Whitburn Methodist Church (North Guards)
• Let the forum know your views by responding to the survey
• Email the forum at whitburnforum@gmail.com

How can individual residents make their views known to the council?

• By email to local.plan@southtyneside.gov.uk,
• Via the online consultation portal.
• By post to Spatial Planning, Development Services, Economic Regeneration, South Tyneside Council, Town Hall and Civic Offices, Westoe Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 2RL

MAP ATTACHED