First draft of coastal neighbourhood plan nearing completion

County councillor John Woodman has arranged a meeting to discuss the draft with parish councillors before it goes out to consultation with the public.

He said that there would be ‘no surprises’ with pro-employment policies and efforts to conserve the area’s heritage sites.

However, Coun Woodman did say that one of the big issues has been what to do about the balance between affordable and market housing.

During the early consultation, there was strong support for boosting the supply of affordable housing, but during the collation of evidence, there hasn’t been much indication of a severe need. “To me, that’s a lost opportunity,” said Coun Woodman.

But the plan is looking to tackle the balance between permanent and holiday homes, with second homes accounting for 80 per cent of properties in Beadnell, 60/70 per cent in Bamburgh and 40-plus per cent in Seahouses.