(10 Mar 2024, 10:16 pm)Adrian wrote They're not, though.

In the case of Washington Meadows specifically, this was removed from the green belt and added to the list of safeguarded land under Sunderland's Core Strategy and Development Plan 2015-2033. See here. Policy SS3 covers safeguarded land, pg38-42 specifically the area I'm writing about. You can also see a report on the land: see here.

There's a further PDF that I've seen (which I can't find in the public domain, so won't share), and that lists a more formal plan for the site. I'll try and get an update on it, but the consultation was only last year and no planning application has been submitted yet.

It's also worth pointing out that since closure, there's been housing built right along the line. (Most of) Sulgrave, Barmston, Teal Farm and  (most of) Fatfield, didn't exist. 

"Even known it's only 2.5 mile, if that's going to a take a large chunk of the budget for no benefits it won't be going anywhere." - I'm not sure that I understand this point? It's a railway, not a bus. It doesn't have to stop every 500 yards.

I'm not suggesting this will go ahead by the way, I just know there's been a lot of people who have spent a lot of time on the project, so to even get the Govt to put money into this study is a big step forward.

Ah apologies, missed that must've slipped through at some point. To be fair can't really complain about that small development there, when you said I thought you meant all the fields around there. Decent place for it and it's what we need more of. I know there hasn't been much mention of it but I hope there's similar planned in the future about the new Blyth Bebside station tbh.

Btw, I think it's a great scheme from Pelaw to Penshaw, can see massive benefits, it's just the bit after I think is a little bit of a missed opportunity as it doesn't really do anything new, like even picking out Washington Meadows there it would be as quick to get the 56 to Sunderland for the few people who want to go there.

Just think the opportunities further down the line would be a massive benefit but obviously until very recently Durham and Tyne and Wear were so disconnected, hopefully something we see less in the future. Shiney Row and Fencehouses (for Houghton Le Spring) are two quite urban areas really and they're both missing out. South of there I admit it's a bit of a gray area, it's a shame there's not an easy route into Durham really, especially for Sunderland to Durham which is pretty dire public transport wise for the size of the two places.