New village car park set to get green light

Plans for a new car park in a north Northumberland coastal village which is plagued by parking problems are set to be approved.
The main road leading into Newton-by-the-Sea. The car park is planned just down the road to the right of the picture.The main road leading into Newton-by-the-Sea. The car park is planned just down the road to the right of the picture.
The main road leading into Newton-by-the-Sea. The car park is planned just down the road to the right of the picture.

On Tuesday, Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee are recommended to approve the scheme for a stone-surfaced facility at High Newton-by-the-Sea, catering for 62 vehicles, but not coaches or buses.

The site is located at the north end of an existing agricultural field, which lies over the road from Newton Hall Caravan Park.

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In May, the Gazette reported that a planning application had been submitted after the area’s county councillor, Kate Cairns, ‘managed to secure commitment and funding for a new car park’.

“We hope this will improve traffic management and parking provision for those who live in and visit Newton and its environs,” she added.

But at a public meeting in June, concerns were raised that the facility will cause greater flooding issues and will only benefit one business – The Apartment Group, which runs nearby Newton Hall and The Joiners Arms.

In 2013, the company itself submitted a controversial application for a 32-space car park on land north-west of the pub, but it was eventually refused.

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The report to the committee states that the county council’s application for a car park has sparked five objections, but 12 letters of support.

Newton-by-the-Sea Parish Council does not object to the proposal, but has raised issues such as pedestrian access, surface run-off, signage and landscaping.