RE: Complaint: 248789 - Unplanned Development on River Drive
From: Nicola Robason
Date: 19/12/2019 (09:56:34 AM GMT)
To:   mick.dawson@theharbourview.co.uk
Message Log: Forwarded on 23/12/2019 11:00:46 AM to: Cllr Angela Hamilton, Emma Lewell-Buck, Nicola Robason, Cllr David Francis, Alison Hoy and local residents. 

Dear Mr Dawson
Thank you for your recent emails and your letter dated 5 December 2019.

I can confirm that I am the Council’s Monitoring Officer. In that capacity, I have read and considered the information you have provided in relation to UK Docks and River Drive and specifically your request for information.

I can confirm that the Council as Local Planning Authority has not received a retrospective planning application from UK Docks. It is entirely a matter for UK Docks to decide whether or not to submit such an application and the Council has no influence in that matter.

I am also aware of the history of this development that goes back some years with the original planning application being determined and approved by the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation in their capacity as Planning Authority at that time. The Council has recognised that the development of the shed on the site is unauthorised but concluded some time ago, in accordance with the Constitution, that no enforcement action would be taken as this was not in the public interest as there would be no change in the level of perceived harm suffered. * This decision and the reasoning behind it was communicated to residents by the Council.

I understand that all complaints procedures regarding this matter have been exhausted both internally within the Council and externally.

Many thanks

Nicola
Nicola Robason
Head of Corporate & External Affairs and Monitoring Officer
South Tyneside Council

* decision made by Building Inspector, September 2013. Not corrected by Principal Planning Officer a few days later, nor by any one since.