BID TO BUY LAND FOR RESIDENTS
A community campaign could see residents buy a share in a plot of land as they look to put a halt to any development on the site.
The field, off Sunniside Lane, in Cleadon, is for sale, with businessman Colin Campbell leading the call for people to get behind a project to ensure it is kept in the ownership of families who live nearby.
He will hold a meeting tomorrow evening where people can find out more about his proposal to set up Cleadon Village Neighbourhood Land Ltd, which will offer people a share in the plot for £1,000.
He has already put together an offer for the land, subject to contract, and has asked the agent handling the sale to hold off on its deadline of 5pm today as he gathers together views and support.
He has said there are fears the plot could be bought by travellers, who could then apply for retrospective planning permission if they set up camp there, with the area not listed for potential development on South Tyneside Council’s strategic land review.
There are also plans to set up Cleadon Village Neighbourhood Forum, which would be offered the chance to comment on planning applications in future.
Mr Campbell, who lives in Cleadon Meadows, runs Tyne and Wear Properties and is executive officer of South Tyneside Landlords Association.
He said: “If we can get say 150 shareholders at £1,000 each, then we could buy the land and have it for community use in perpetuity.”
He added: “This would be set up as a limited company and if sometime in the future, maybe well past my time, someone wants to do something with the land, they would have to get the agreement of 66% of the shareholders to agree.”
The community meeting will be held at the village from 7pm.