Planning Permission in South Tyneside
Metropolitan District in North East · Last updated April 2026
South Tyneside is a metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear covering the south bank of the River Tyne estuary, including the towns of South Shields, Jarrow, and Hebburn. With a population of approximately 152,000, the borough has a rich heritage spanning from the Roman period to its industrial and maritime past. Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields is part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking the eastern supply base of Hadrian's Wall.
Planning in South Tyneside is currently guided by the Local Development Framework, including a Core Strategy (2007), Development Management Policies DPD (2011), Site-Specific Allocations DPD (2012), and three Area Action Plans for South Shields, Hebburn, and Jarrow. A new Local Plan 2023-2040 was submitted for examination in March 2025, with adoption expected in late 2026. The council does not charge CIL — infrastructure contributions are secured through Section 106 agreements.
The borough has 11 conservation areas, 193 listed buildings, and 6 Article 4 directions. A borough-wide HMO Article 4 direction took effect in November 2025, requiring planning permission for all changes from dwelling houses to houses in multiple occupation. The dramatic coastline includes Marsden Bay and is protected by the Durham Coast SAC and Northumbrian Coast SPA designations.
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What can I build in South Tyneside?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of South Tyneside outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (11), Article 4 zones (6), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of South Tyneside outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (11), Article 4 zones (6), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (11), Article 4 zones (6), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Borough-wide HMO, Cleadon Conservation Area) | Conservation areas (e.g. Mill Dam, Hebburn Hall, Cleadon Hills), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of South Tyneside | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of South Tyneside outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties in Article 4 areas or near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of South Tyneside (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on South Tyneside's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in South Tyneside
Permitted development rights in South Tyneside follow national rules but are modified in key areas. A borough-wide Article 4 direction (November 2025) removes the right to convert dwelling houses (C3) to small HMOs (C4) without planning permission — this applies across the entire borough, not just specific areas. Five conservation areas (Cleadon, Westoe, Whitburn, East Boldon, and West Boldon) have Article 4 directions restricting external alterations to dwelling houses including extensions, porches, and roof changes. Development within any of South Tyneside's 11 conservation areas requires careful consideration of impact on character and appearance. Green Belt policies also apply to significant areas in the south and west of the borough.
What South Tyneside expects from your project
South Tyneside has several significant regeneration programmes shaping the planning context. The Jarrow Forward programme (2026-2036), supported by £20 million from the Plan for Neighbourhoods fund, aims to transform Jarrow town centre and improve connectivity. South Shields town centre has seen over £9 million invested in King Street and the market area. The emerging Local Plan proposes to release Green Belt land at 12 sites across Whitburn, Cleadon, East Boldon, West Boldon, and Wardley for approximately 1,862 new homes. The borough is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro's Yellow Line, with stations at Hebburn, Jarrow, Bede, Simonside, Tyne Dock, Chichester, and South Shields. The East Boldon Neighbourhood Plan (made December 2021) provides additional local policies for the East Boldon area.
Local Plan: South Tyneside Local Plan 2016–2032
South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough adopted its Local Plan in October 2018. The compact coastal borough includes South Shields, Jarrow and Hebburn, with regeneration focused on the Riverside South scheme in South Shields and employment growth at Turbinia Works. The borough is part of the North East Combined Authority.
Emerging / replacement plan
South Tyneside is preparing a new Local Plan within the North East Combined Authority spatial planning framework. A Regulation 18 consultation is anticipated in 2025–2026.
95.5% approval rate
South Tyneside approves 95.5% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in South Tyneside
11 designated conservation areas
South Tyneside's 11 conservation areas protect diverse heritage settings. St Paul's conservation area in Jarrow is associated with the Anglo-Saxon monastery where the Venerable Bede lived — it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Westoe preserves a distinguished Victorian and Edwardian residential area, while Mill Dam protects the historic waterfront in South Shields. The villages of Cleadon, Whitburn, East Boldon, and West Boldon retain their distinctive village characters within the Green Belt setting. The borough has 193 listed buildings including 4 at Grade I and 7 at Grade II*. Arbeia Roman Fort forms part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site, and any development within or affecting the WHS buffer zone must be assessed for impact on its Outstanding Universal Value. The coastline carries international ecological designations: the Durham Coast SAC and Northumbrian Coast SPA/Ramsar site.
Article 4 directions in South Tyneside
6 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in South Tyneside
There are 193 listed buildings in South Tyneside. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with South Tyneside's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
South Tyneside received 391 planning applications and decided 377 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 95.5% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
South Tyneside approved 95.5% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025 based on 377 decisions. Performance on speed is strong: 100% of major applications, 96.8% of minor applications, and 96.9% of householder applications were decided within statutory or agreed timeframes. The council has a delegation rate of 96.3%. However, South Tyneside's Housing Delivery Test result of 60% (529 homes delivered against a requirement of 881 for 2023) means the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies — this is the most severe housing delivery consequence and means the tilted balance in paragraph 11(d) of the NPPF is engaged for housing applications. The council received 391 applications during this period.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in South Tyneside
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what South Tyneside expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on South Tyneside's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in South Tyneside
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
South Tyneside delivered 529 homes against a requirement of 881 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 60%. This is well below the 75% threshold, which triggers the most significant consequence: the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” (also called the “tilted balance”). This means planning applications for housing should be approved unless the harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. For homeowners, this is a strong signal — South Tyneside is under considerable pressure to approve housing, making it one of the more favourable environments for residential planning applications in England.
Lawful Development Certificates in South Tyneside
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from South Tyneside that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
South Tyneside decided 254 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 96.9% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in South Tyneside
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through South Tyneside's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
South Tyneside must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for South Tyneside.
Pre-application advice in South Tyneside
South Tyneside offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Charged — contact council on 0191 424 7439 for current fee schedule. You can typically expect a response within 28 days.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Payment by debit card on 0191 424 7439. The pre-application service should not be used to determine whether planning permission is required — a Certificate of Lawful Development should be used instead.
Planning fees and timelines in South Tyneside
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | Alterations and extensions to a single dwelling including works within the garden |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | Confirms whether proposed works can be carried out under permitted development |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | Certifies that an existing use or development is lawful |
| Listed building consent | £0 | No fee for applications affecting listed buildings — South Tyneside has 193 listed buildings including 4 Grade I |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 | Per request to discharge conditions attached to a planning permission |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | Minor changes to an approved scheme that do not materially alter the development |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | Required for single-storey rear extensions between 4m and 8m (detached) or 3m and 6m (other houses) |
| Full planning permission (new dwelling) | £610 per dwelling | For new build residential development — no CIL in South Tyneside, but S106 contributions may apply |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by South Tyneside and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in South Tyneside
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in South Tyneside is provided by Tyne and Wear Building Control. Part of the Tyne and Wear Building Control partnership covering Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
South Tyneside planning department
Your building project checklist for South Tyneside
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — South Tyneside has 11 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — South Tyneside has 6 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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