Dear Supporters,

URGENT UPDATE TO ALL SUPPORTERS OF OUR SAVE THE FELLGATE GREENBELT GROUP.

As you may now be aware the South Tyneside Draft Local Plan was rejected for the second time by Full Council on 27th February 2025.

Despite this, on 4th March 2025, The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) intervened and directed the Council to submit the Publication Draft Local Plan (2023 – 2024) for Examination in Public by 12th March 2025. South Tyneside Council therefore submitted the Publication Draft South Tyneside Local Plan (2023 – 2040) to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination in Public on 12th March 2025.

As a result of this decision the Save the Fellgate Green Belt Group need to urgently raise funds to seek legal advice and future representation from a Barrister.

Please donate to this cause as the consequences of the planned 1200+ development on the Fellgate Green Belt would result in the eventual destruction of this Bio-diverse, Natural Habitat that so many forms of wildlife call their home. In addition it will result in the loss of a fifth generation working farm and have dire consequences in relation to flooding and sewerage as well as traffic issues, around the entire area. We just do not have the infrastructure to support this. PLEASE DONATE THANKYOU!

The origins of this petition can be read below. Thank You

Imagine waking up to the sound of bird song, surrounded by trees, and listening to the farmer cultivating their land. This picturesque scene isn't just a dream; it's the reality of our beloved Fellgate Green Belt.

But now, this haven of nature is under threat, and we need your help to protect it.

Fellgate is an estate situated on the outskirts of Jarrow, Tyne and Wear and is a heavily urbanised and traffic congested area. This is the last piece of greenbelt and arable farming we have remaining.

Our green belt isn't just a patch of land; it's a sanctuary for biodiversity, a source of clean air, and a refuge for our community to connect with nature and food that could be on your table.

It's where families go for leisurely walks, children play freely, and where we find solace away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Unfortunately, the local council and developers have set their sights on our green belt, eager to replace it with concrete jungles of dense and sprawling houses, with promises that may never happen. Bringing with it increased traffic on our already congested roads, air pollution, very real threats of flooding and endangering our children’s health and wellbeing.

If we don't act now, this precious land will be lost forever, along with a 5-generation arable farm and countless birds, animals, and other species that call it home. The community will also lose our much-loved livery stable housing 52 horses, which can be seen grazing daily and provided much needed solace to many during the Covid pandemic.

Our community are constantly being told 'Its a done deal' and to forget about it. But we refuse to stand idly by and watch our green belt disappear.

We're rallying together to raise funds to fight against the encroachment of this urban development, educate and provide robust reasons to everyone that our green assets and their special significance need to be protected and ensure the preservation of this invaluable natural resource.

Your donation will go towards any legal fees to challenge the council and any future planning applications, publication costs, including printed material and any specialist fees to explore and refute the evidence that the council keeps telling us are facts.

It will support a grass roots campaign to raise awareness, mobilise our community, and petition the local authorities to prioritise conservation efforts.

Together, we can send a powerful message that our green spaces are not for sale at any price.

The Green Belt is essential for our mental well-being, for the health of our families and on a wider scale the planet, yes in a small way and it all counts, but more important for the legacy we leave for future generations.

Every contribution, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to our goal of safeguarding our green belt.

Join us in this fight to protect what matters most – the beauty, the views, the tranquillity, the source of food and biodiversity of our natural habitat on our door step.

Thank you for standing with us in defence of the Fellgate Green Belt