South Shields' Sycamore Gap: Over 2,000 sign petition to save trees

Campaigners have called for trees at the Old Marine School site to be saved

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save 160 trees from being felled.

The trees, alongside the old Marine School in South Shields, could be removed to make way for more than 200 homes at the site.

Campaigners have called for the the trees to be included in the plans.

Developer Avant Homes said it was talking to the council and the school about the trees and would continue to do so.

Petition organiser Colin Porter has said he felt "total outrage" when he found out the trees could be removed.

Mr Porter has urged developers to have another look at the plans and protect the trees.

Colin Porter has called for the houses to be built "sympathetically"

"We see the need for houses but they need to be built [in sympathy with] the mature trees and nature," Mr Porter said.

"We understand some trees will go but 160 mature trees is just totally unacceptable."

South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School, which are currently on the site, could move to South Shields town centre if separate plans are approved.

Their current home, near Redhead Park, has been earmarked for development by Avant Homes, which intends to build up to 260 houses there.

Local resident Tom Fennelly said: "The majority of people in the area are very much in favour of the redevelopment of the college site.

"Our concern is how they achieve the housing development once the college is gone."

'Our Sycamore Gap'

Mr Porter has said one of the trees at the site, the Weeping Beech tree, is known by everybody in South Shields.

"It's just a magnificent tree," Mr Porter said.

"It's basically our Sycamore Gap tree.

"This means the same to us as what Sycamore Gap means to everybody in the North East.

"It's just an iconic tree."

Mr Porter has described the Weeping Beech as South Shields' Sycamore Gap tree

Green Party Councillor and co-founder of South Tyneside Tree Action Group Rachael Milne has said it will be a "real loss" if the trees are removed.

"We need to be keeping with the climate emergency and save the trees," said Ms Milne.

She has called for the houses to be built in South Shields town centre instead.

"Don't build them here and then cause a huge environmental destruction," she added.

Rachael Milne has called for the houses to be built in the town centre

An Avant Homes North East spokesperson said: "We are currently liaising with South Tyneside Council regarding our planning application for the South Shields Marine School site on Grosvenor Road.

"As part of this, we are in discussions regarding the trees at the site and will continue to engage with the local authority on this matter."

South Tyneside Council has said people can raise objections as part of the planning process.

A spokesperson for Tyne Coast College - which South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School are part of - said: "We are continuing to work with all parties in relation to the relocation of the college."