198 homes at South Tyneside College St Georges Avenue South Shields 1-48 (consec, excl 13) Masterman Grove South Shields

The proposed amendment

A Section 73 application sought to vary conditions of an existing permission for 260 homes to deliver an amended scheme of 198 dwellings.

“260003 South Tyneside College St Georges Avenue South Shields NE34 6ET Applicants: Miller Homes Proposal: Application under Section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 concerning previous planning permission reference ST/0676/23/FUL granted for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of up to 260 dwellings to vary conditions 1, 2, 6, 8, 16, 17, 22, 24, 26,27,33 and 35 of that permission in respect of an amended scheme for 198 dwellings.”

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A site visit and the existing permission

A site visit was carried out beforehand, and the officer noted the original 260-home permission would remain in effect even if this application were rejected.

“A site visit was conducted on the 6 th March 2026. The site visit was carried out with the prior approval of the Chair. The need for the site visit in advance was to view the site and consider the objections to the proposals.”

“The Planning Officer delivered a presentation to the committee outlining the contents of the report. It was noted that this application was to amend the conditions on the existing agreed application for 260 homes to be built and that even if this application was rejected, that original application remained in effect.”

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Objectors' concerns

Objectors raised unsuitable access and loss of parking, doubts about the original approval, and oversaturation and loss of affordable and smaller homes near a conservation area.

“D Brown spoke in objection to the application noting that the location of the entrances didn’t seem suitable. There would be a loss of visitor parking on Grosvenor Road and they suggested that easternmost access to the site on Grosvenor Road should be re-sited so that it formed a cross roads with Grosvenor Drive.”

“J Temple spoke in objection to the application, noting that as the Chair of the friends of Westoe Conservation Area, they were concerned about the lasting impact to the area. While they appreciated the revised application reducing the number of homes and saving more trees, they still believed it was oversaturation of the area and there was concern that there was no affordable housing, small dwellings or bungalows.”

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The agent's case for approval

The agent said work with officers had saved more trees and added on-site parking, and offered to keep ward councillors and residents informed during the build.

Members' concerns

Members criticised the house designs near the conservation area and the lack of affordable housing, and noted a third-party request for the Secretary of State to call in the application.

“A Member spoke noting the increased tree retention and also the fact the Section 106 obligations would be retained from the original application however they were concerned with the ‘cookie cutter’ homes adjacent to a conservation area that wouldn’t be in keeping with the local dynamic, they were also concerned about the lack of Biodiversity Net Gain and affordable housing.”

“A Member raised the request from a 3 rd party to the Secretary of State for the application to be called-in and believed the application should be paused pending that outcome. The officer noted this and stated that in light of this call-in request the decision for the committee was to decide if they were to be minded to grant permission, subject to the Secretary of State reviewing the application.”

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The vote

Members voted 12 in favour, none against and one abstention to be minded to grant permission unless the Secretary of State calls the application in.

“It was proposed by Cllr Proudlock and seconded by Cllr McHugh that the application be approved. A vote was carried out with members voting 12 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention that they were minded to grant permission, subject to the Secretary of State not wishing to call-in the application for their own determination and authority was granted to the Senior Manager – Planning to issue the decision notice granting planning permission subject to the below conditions (as…”

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A condition attached

The development must begin by 30 June 2028, under the standard time limit for implementing a planning permission.

“The development to which this permission relates must be commenced not later than the 30 June 2028.”

“As required by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and to ensure that the development is carried out within a reasonable time.”

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