Call for update on golf club redevelopment plans and more from Belford Parish Council

The £12million scheme at Belford Golf Club potentially includes a supermarket and country food store, some 50 new homes, sports facilities and a leisure site for chalets and fixed holiday accommodation.

In August, applicant David Ratliff indicated an application would be submitted in the autumn but it has not yet been lodged with Northumberland County Council.

"The (county) council haven’t got anything on paper (about the pre-application plans),” Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, local ward member, told members.

It was agreed to contact Mr Ratliff to try and get further information.

Cllr Thomas Keys revealed that repairs had been carried out at the Croftfield play park.

Councillors also agreed to fund a new cradle swing for £128.40 and replacement black safety wet pour for £350 in Central Park.

It was agreed to work towards putting £1,000 a year towards play park repairs in the annual budget.

"With the best will in the world, with the current restrictions there isn’t going to be any community fund-raising and it’s our responsibility,” commented Cllr Renner-Thompson.

The parish council decided to reduce its donation to St Mary’s Parish Church.

It has donated £700 towards grass-cutting costs in recent years but will give £500 this year to free up funds for play park repairs.

A further £100 donation towards the servicing of the clock was agreed.

"We have had a lot of extra expense at the play park,” said Cllr Renner-Thompson.

Plans are being progressed to reopen the public toilets as soon as possible.

A £250 donation towards the Christmas lights was agreed.

Members were told there had been no recorded crimes in the parish over the past month.

No objections were made to the following planning applications: Change of use from agriculture to equestrian use on land west of Hollyoak, Hillside Road; revised layout reducing numbers to three units on land to the rear of the Blue Bell Hotel; outline application for proposed bungalow north east of Mill Square; construction of farm road across grass field to facilitate extraction of timber on land west of Sionside.

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