Green belt housing plan sparks opposition

Plans for up to 205 new homes on green belt land have sparked concern among residents.

South Tyneside Council's planning department received an application for land off Mill Lane in Whitburn, on the coast between South Shields and Sunderland.

A petition by Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum (WNF) opposing the plans has amassed more than 1,400 signatures.

Developer Story Homes said the scheme would create a "high-quality and inherently sustainable neighbourhood".

Members of the public have been invited to have their say on the proposals for the site, which sits alongside Marsden Primary School, Lizard Lane and Kitchener Road and is made up of fields, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Story Homes is seeking planning permission for a "residential development of up to 205 dwellings including vehicular access, associated infrastructure and landscaping".

Story Homes contacted householders in July 2025 to outline their proposals for the green belt land, which the company said was a sustainable location for development".

The housing plans sparked opposition from the WNF and local residents.

Green Party Candidate for Whitburn and Marsden Steve Lavelle launched the petition against the development, saying it would "cause unacceptable and irreversible harm to the character of Whitburn".

Community concerns include the impact of the new housing on local infrastructure and the loss of green space, as well as the affect on wildlife and the wider environment.

Story Homes said they would create a "high-quality and inherently sustainable neighbourhood" which would be a "natural extension to the existing residential areas within the village, strengthening its connection to the wider coastal community between South Shields and Sunderland".

A decision on the housing plan is expected following a council-led consultation, which invites representations from members of the public.

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