Second round of housing plan hearings to start

The second round of an independent examination of South Tyneside Council's controversial Local Plan will get under way next week.

- by Tom Patterson

Last year the Government intervened in the borough's Local Plan - outlining plans for housing, infrastructure and schools to the year 2040-after it was rejected in a meeting of the full council for a second time.

This led to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government intervening and stage one hearings were held in July.

The second stage hearings - conducted by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State-will run from January 13 to 21 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Boldon.