Extension plan for Cramlington garden centre approved despite 'looking like it came from the moon'

The owners of Azure Garden Centre on Station Road in Cramlington had applied for permission to extend the existing garden centre and warehouse, as well as build a charity head office, training facility and business centre.

The application was unanimously approved by councillors on Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee.

The garden centre is run by Azure Charitable Enterprises, which provides support to people with disabilities and additional support needs, designed to help prepare young people for employment.

It is hoped the extension will increase the charity’s income stream, improving its “financial resilience”.

New classrooms and other teaching space would also be created, as well as a head office for the charity itself, formed in 1985.

Azure’s design and access statement explained: “We are contracted by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and Northumberland County Council to provide our education (‘Skills Builder’) programme aimed at learners aged 16- 24 years living in Northumberland with disabilities or additional support needs.

“Typically, learners spend an average of 40 weeks on programmes that may include, Horticulture, Hospitality & Catering, Health & Social Care, Employability Skills, Personal Development, Work-placements/trials, English, Maths, ICT and Information, Advice and Guidance.”

Local ward member Cllr Barry Flux said: “This is an asset to my local community for sure. Like any longstanding business, your needs change over time.

“Clearly things have changed here – the business plan has been adapted and the buildings need to change to reflect that.

"The entrance-exit is sometimes a little bit tricky. However, it’s not all the time. I drive past pretty much every single day and the amount of time you have trouble there is usually when you have reindeer there or something, because a successful business attracts plenty of people.

“There’s only been two objections, one of which is about cycling from someone in Newcastle which I don’t understand, because if you’re going to a garden centre you’re usually buying more than you can put on a bicycle.

“I fully support the application.”

Cllr Trevor Thorne was also supportive – although he did raise some concerns about the design.

He added: “This is a really good garden centre. We have got some education in there, I’m excited it’s expanding.

“I’m not keen on the design, it looks to me like it’s a building that has come down from the moon!”