Go-ahead for glass extension on Northumberland coast

The bid for the rear of 3 Benthall, which faces onto Harbour Road, in Beadnell, was approved by split decision at Tuesday’s meeting of the county council’s planning and rights of way committee.

A previous scheme had been refused and Coun John Woodman, ward member for the area, called in this application as he still believed it to be unacceptable, as did Beadnell Parish Council.

Speaking at the meeting, the parish chairman, Coun Geoff Martindale, said: “Why has the planning officer recommended approval when the minor amendments have not addressed the previous concerns and objections?”

However, planning officer Ragu Sittambalam explained that the new proposals had reduced the height and removed an external staircase and wooden cladding.

The AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership raised no objection, also concluding that the changes made a difference.

Coun John Riddle, one of those who voted against the plans, said: “I think that, to be consistent, the changes that have been made aren’t sufficient to justify it being approved. The fact that it’s split level with the balcony, and the gable end being almost entirely glass is alien to that street-scene.”

But Coun Paul Kelly said: “It doesn’t strike me that traditional form has been maintained anyway and those other extensions are not proportionate anyway.

“It’s in the eye of the beholder I would say because the tradition of fishermen’s cottages may be preserved to the north, but it certainly isn’t to the south of that terrace.”