Stage Two Hearings Set for Local Plan Examination

Last year the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) intervened in the Borough’s Local Plan after it was rejected in a meeting of Full Council in 2025.

The intervention required that the blueprint for development was submitted for examination in public.

The sessions will help the Inspector determine if the plan is ‘sound’ and will mainly focus on areas not discussed in the first hearings, including site allocations in the main urban area, and policies on climate change, the historic environment and economic development.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport, said: “The plan has been subject to significant public consultation and is the product of extensive work to compile an evidence base over several years.

“It is now up to the independent inspector to assess if it is sound and can progress to the stage of being legally adopted.”

Stage one hearings were held in July. 

Stage two hearings, which will be conducted by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, will run from 13-21 January. They will take place at the Holiday Inn Newcastle South in Boldon and are open to the public to attend as observers. They will also be live streamed on the Council’s YouTube channel. 

Further details and links to the YouTube live feed are available at Local Plan examination - South Tyneside Council