About the Local Plan

At least 321 new homes will be needed each year in South Tyneside. 

This number is based on:

• how the population is expected to grow
• how the number of households is expected to grow
• how jobs are expected to grow
• if there has previously been a lack of new housing
• if more homes are needed in certain areas, because average house prices are not affordable for people who are on an average wage

How housing targets are estimated

Central government sets the process that councils must follow when they estimate housing targets for their Local Plan.

The Council has to use this formula to work out the minimum number of homes that should be planned for.

We've also had to estimate household growth based on 2014 data.

This is a requirement by central government. They feel that more recent data does not accurately reflect the true number of households, as households have been restricted due to the lack of available housing.

Types of housing

We also need to make sure we have a mix of new housing built in South Tyneside.

This will be a challenge, but we need to make sure there are homes in the area that are especially:

• accessible and adaptable to meet the needs of our ageing population and those with a disability
• affordable particularly for our young people and local families

The Local Plan sets out policies that aim to achieve this.

For example, we want to keep our young people and local families here. Developers will now have to set aside homes in their plans that are both affordable and suitable.