Monkton Community Woodland

The site of the woodland was originally agricultural land until the development of the site to accommodate the former Monkton Cokeworks.

1936/37: The Cokeworks was built by John Bowes Partners Ltd as the Government’s response to the Jarrow March of 1932 in which Jarrow residents marched to London demanding jobs.

1947: The works became nationalised and came under the control of the National Coal Board (NCB).

1953/56: Major expansion of the works and new coking ovens were installed.

1964: Output of carbonised coal had reached 285,000 tons and the site had a capacity of stocking 250,000 tons of coke.

1979: Another major renewal / expansion – 33 additional ovens resulted in the works doubling production – along with the pollution.

1987: The Hebburn Residents Action Group (HRAG), led by local County Councillor and resident Cllr Jennie Shearan was formed in response to a proposed further development, which would result in increased pollution and detrimental effects on the health of local residents. Parts of the surrounding housing estate had become known as “death row” and there is anecdotal evidence that “every house had an oxygen bottle in it”, due to the respiratory illnesses caused by the toxic pollutants from the site.

1990: After a three year battle, the HRAG received news that not only was the proposed development to be abandoned, but also that the plant was to be closed.

1992/93: The plant was demolished.

1998: The site was acquired by One North East. Half of the site, (approx 10Ha), was to become a business park, with the remaining 10ha being designated as public open space and was planted with trees as part of the Great North Forest project.

2005: The site was transferred to The Land Trust and management of the woodland area became the responsibility of Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle.