Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Foster, Renner-Thompson, Robinson and Watson.

The Minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee held on Tuesday 4 July 2023, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

The Minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee held on 4 July 2023, as circulated, were agreed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

To request the committee to decide the planning applications attached to this report using the powers delegated to it. 

Please note that printed letters of objection/support are no longer circulated with the agenda but are available on the Council’s website at  http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Planning.aspx

The report requested the Committee to decide the planning applications attached to the report using the powers delegated to it.  Members were reminded of the principles which should govern their consideration of the applications, the procedure for handling representations, the requirement of conditions and the need for justifiable reasons for the granting of permission or refusal of planning applications.

Demolition of the former Bedlington Station Building (South) to accommodate works to construct the new railway station approved under 21/01106/CCD

Bedlington Railway Station, Station Street, Bedlington, Northumberland

NE22 5UZ

Demolition of the former Bedlington Station Building (South) to accommodate works to construct the new railway station approved under 21/01106/CCD

Bedlington Railway Station, Station Street, Bedlington, Northumberland

NE22 5UZ

G Halliday, Planning Consultant provided a comprehensive introduction to the application with the aid of a power point presentation.  He advised that an additional representation had been received late the previous day from the Victorian Society.  This raised similar points as already outlined in the report from other objectors including that as a non-designated heritage asset a balanced judgement was required and demolition should not be allowed due to the heritage significance of the building.

A Hogg, addressed the Committee speaking on behalf of West Bedlington Town Council in objection to the application.  His comments included the following:-

·       West Bedlington Town Council objected to this planning application for the demolition of the southern building at Bedlington Station and supported East Bedlington Parish Council, objectors and those who had signed the petition to keep the building.

·       The building played a major part in the whole Bedlington area history having been built in the early 1900’s and had survived the Beaching cuts of the 1960’s which closed the route to passengers.  It was the only original group of station buildings left on the whole of the Blyth and Tyne railway route that would be opened to the public.

·       East Bedlington Parish Council had submitted interest in the buildings over a number of years for them to be used for the community, most recently highlighting the point in the Borderlands Place Programme with a lot of work having been undertaken to submit a bid for turning both buildings into a community hub and heritage centre.

·       East Bedlington Parish Council had a proven track record of undertaking major works to bring derelict buildings and land into community use as seen with East Bedlington Community Centre and other local projects.

·       The original application for this site highlighted both buildings would stay and a recent Northumberland County Council design showed the building could stay with works undertaken around it, with different designs showing the platform would not reach where the building stood and a grassed bank replacing the platform edge.

·       Whilst East Bedlington was not covered by the West Bedlington Neighbourhood Plan area, local residents in the West Bedlington area had highlighted the importance of historical/heritage assets within the area during the Neighbourhood Plan process.  As a consequence, West Bedlington Town Council felt that they must object to the demolition of any of the station buildings and support calls for both buildings to be repaired for use by the local community and commuters.  The Committee were asked to support East Bedlington Parish Council and refuse the application in order to allow both buildings to be brought back into use for future generations to enjoy.

K Grimes, addressed the Committee speaking as Chair of East Bedlington Parish Council in objection to the application.  His comments included the following:-

·       The Parish Council had voted unanimously to object to this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

For Members’ information to report the progress of planning appeals.  This is a monthly report and relates to appeals throughout all 5 Local Area Council Planning Committee areas and covers appeals of Strategic Planning Committee.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

For Members’ information to report the agreement monitoring and collection of s106 contributions in the planning process. This is a monthly report and relates to agreements throughout Northumberland during the previous 2 months.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.