Social Value Ideas for South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Retail capacity and 900 sqm F&B

Retail study finds no surplus capacity for additional convenience or comparison goods, and concludes any 900 sqm F&B require could be met within existing centres via reuse/ repurposing.

“The plan does not identify any additional retail or commercial leisure floor space that would require the allocation of additional sites. The retail s…”

Retail hierarchy and Seawinnings Way

The Seawinnings Way area is classified as a local neighbourhood hub, not a local center, according to the retail hierarchy underpinning SP20.

“Seawinnings Way at West To Crown Village has been identified as a local neighbourhood hub rather than a local center and we consider that to be justif…”

Hot food takeaway policy and health data

Policy 32 uses health data to limit hot food takeaways: a 400m radius from secondary schools and a 10% obesity threshold in Year 6 to determine applications, aiming to contribute to a wider obesity-re…

“From a health perspective we have identified childhood obesity within our health and well-being strategy as one of our key priorities... the policy th…”

Agent of Change principle in SP22

The council supports the agent of change principle (MPP&F) to balance existing businesses with new investment; Part four aims to allow changes of use where operation would not prejudice neighboring pr…

“The agent of change principle paragraph 187 of the MPPF states existing businesses and facilities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on …”

Tyne Dock Enterprise Park

Policy SP17: The council does not consider it necessary to reference Tyne Dock Enterprise Park within the policy itself, but is open to modifying the supporting text to acknowledge that the Tyne inclu…

“We don't consider that it's necessary to make a reference to the Tyand do enterprise park specifically within the policy given the strategic overall n…”

Policy maps include Tyne Dock Enterprise Park

Policy SP19 acknowledges the Tyne Dock Enterprise Park and the plan proposes an amendment to the policies map to clarify its inclusion within the policy’s scope.

“Yes sir. can confirm that it does uh encompass Tyand do Enterprise Park and we have therefore proposed an amendment to the policies map to to clarify …”

Standard method affirmed

The SHMA supports using the standard method with a 309 dwellings/year output; no exceptional circumstances were identified to uplift. The inspector cited national policy requiring a minimum 15-year ho…

“the output ... using the 2022 affordability ratios is 309 net new homes a year”

HMO thresholds & sandwiching

Policy 16 balances allowing HMOs with managing concentrations and immediate impacts, informed by the HMO lobby (10% tipping point) and a ‘sandwiching’ criterion. The council has also imposed a borough…

“"the policy has been informed by the national HMO lobby... suggests that 10% of properties or 20% of population is normally a tipping point for HMO do…”

Policy 15 net-loss test

The council explains that the final clause of Policy 15 is designed to ensure replacement of stock that fails modern standards, with a requirement that a net loss is only acceptable where it’s necessa…

“"The intention with that part of the policy was to ensure that where there's stock that doesn't meet kind of modern safety standards or accessibility …”

Affordability thresholds zoned

The viability evidence uses five value zones with different affordable housing targets (East Balden 25-30%, Heburn 15%, South Shields/Jarro 10%). East Balden and Whitburn were tested at 30% but reduce…

“"East Balden and Whitburn was tested at 30%. ... the judgment was made to reduce to 25%"; "Heburn was tested at 20% affordable housing. You'll note th…”

Post-hearing letter and potential modifications

Inspector plans to issue a post-hearing letter identifying issues and potential main modifications, including whether Arab needs updating; clearance process anticipated.

“I'm going to be spending the next two weeks reflecting on everything I've heard. Um, I'll be preparing a sort of post hearings letter that kind of pul…”

Separate policy for G3 (SP7)

Consider separating site G3 from SP7 and giving it its own policy number (similar to SP8) because of its size and to articulate finer grain requirements.

“bearing in mind the size of the allocation I'm contemplating whether it might be appropriate to separate it out from SP7 and give it its own policy nu…”

Prioritised action points

Action points identified as higher priority: time frame for coastal mitigation strategy (action point 2); site capacity work (7); sustainability appraisal alignment (8); threshold work with National H…

“action point two, which is understanding around the time frame for the coastal mitigation strategy. I think that'd be very helpful. uh to me in terms …”

In-person site visits vs remote for stage 2

Preference for in-person site visits for site-specific matters in affected communities; mixed approach for other strands (Teams/electronic format) to improve efficiency and cost.

“for certainly for the further sites when we come to them in the main urban area and any kind of revisitation of strands of what we've discussed at mat…”