The green fields surrounding Marsden Primary School at Mill Lane, Whitburn have been a cherished part of our community, nurturing the mental, social, and physical well-being of students, residents, and visitors of Whitburn and South Tyneside. This area, nestled between Lizard Lane, Kitchener Road, and Mill Lane, is part of the Green Belt in South Tyneside, offering a sanctuary of natural beauty and tranquillity crucial for our collective heritage and the health of future generations.

These fields surround a primary school where children play, and are a sanctuary where wildlife thrives, offering a green lung to counter the ever-increasing urbanisation. 

Recent proposals threaten to erode this substantial part of the Green Belt, paving the way for development of over 200 unaffordable houses that will strip away this vital ecological and community resource. Such actions are not only a disservice to our community but a grave loss to the natural world we are privileged to be a part of. The consequences of losing such a green haven would be far-reaching, impacting air quality, sewage infrastructure capacity, and wildlife habitats—the environmental cost is unthinkable.

Northumbrian Water have accepted that they are in breach of environmental law by discharging around 1 million tonnes of untreated sewage at Whitburn annually. The proposed development can only increase the volume of untreated sewage discharged at Whitburn. 

The purpose of this green belt remains unchanged:

a) to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas; 
b) to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another; 
c) to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; 
d) to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and 
e) to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

Our commitment to preserving this land is crucial. The solution is to halt these proposals and instead prioritise sustainable development practices that respect and incorporate the preservation of historically vital green spaces. We call upon local authorities, planning officials, and developers to recognize the irreplaceable value of this land and seek alternatives that do not compromise our environmental integrity. 

By signing this petition, you are standing up for the preservation of our community’s natural heritage. Let us unite in protecting the green fields surrounding Marsden Primary School which form part of the South Tyneside Green Belt for today’s families and tomorrow’s generations. Join us in urging the decision-makers to safeguard our environment. Please sign this petition to help ensure that this oasis of natural beauty remains untouched for all to enjoy. 

Public concern is capable of being a material planning consideration so the more public concern that is evidenced then greater weight can be given to public concern as a material planning consideration.

Together, we can make a difference. Your signature matters.