Bid for five-year use of land in Morpeth area for event space in planning appeal

A planning application for a mobile food trailer and the use of space for a ‘Gather’ event on land near Monk’s Lodge was scheduled for refusal by one of Northumberland County Council’s planning committees.

However, the refusal is now subject to a planning inspectorate appeal. Whilst councillors voted against the plans, a formal decision will be made once the appeal has been decided as valid or not.

A planning statement on behalf of the applicant described the event as “carefully designed” to encourage people to spend time outdoors together in existing green space.

The Gather site currently operates under permitted development rights for 28 days a year, but it was seeking permission to stage events for 60 days a year – between April 1 and October 31.

Seating capacity was originally restricted to 50 people, with no more than 150 people allowed on site at any one time.

An updated application called for a reduction in proposed operating hours, days and capacity.

Further information regarding ecology and highways had been handed to officers to address a reported lack of information, but officers said it had not arrived in time. A claim that was rejected by a planning representative on behalf of the applicant.

The application is set to be rejected by the council due to “insufficient information” around the possible impact on nearby highways.

The local authority’s highways team stated in its written submission that not enough information was provided on visitor patterns, parking demand, parking control, pedestrian safety and capacity, amongst other considerations.

The report also stated there was insufficient information around noise concerns and the potential impact on surrounding neighbours.

Ahead of the meeting, an appeal was lodged with the planning inspectorate against the council officers’ recommendations to refuse the application.