Concern raised at potential loss of commercial space on High Street and more from Belford Parish Council

A planning application has been lodged seeking change of use from a workshop to a one bedroom dwellings on land east of 17-19 High Street.

Gillian Baker Cresswell used the converted outbuilding as a studio and workshop for her business, Belford Interiors.

Now retired, the workshop is only used as a storage space only and she wants to turn it into a building for anyone looking for a small affordable property.

But Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, chairman of Belford Parish Council, said: “I wouldn’t like to support this. It’s part of a business unit on the High Street, the old Belford Interiors workshop. It would be a loss of more commercial space on the which is something we are always against.”

"My reading of it is that it would be a one bed dwelling that would just become another holiday let.”

Cllr Julian Cunningham added: “I think it’s important we try to attract some business to the village. We’re going to end up with nothing there at all.”

It was agreed to object about the loss of commercial space, citing the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.

Meanwhile, the parish council is to write to Northumberland County Council expressing a desire for speed restrictions at Middleton.

"People are still belting down there at a rate of knots,” said Cllr Cunningham. “I think there are grounds for restrictions and I think there are other precedents around the county.”

A speed warning sign on West Street is still in progress. The post is in place and the signage is on order.

Funding has been awarded from the community fund for repointing of the wall by the war memorial, while a project to replace the concrete coping on top of the wall will be funded from the war memorial account. The combined works cost in the region of £1,500.

Members noted the resignation of Thomas Keys from the parish council and thanked him for his service.

"He’s been a parish councillor for a long time and was a very good one,” said Cllr Renner-Thompson.

A donation of £250 has been awarded to the Great North Air Ambulance.

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