Housing plans for seaside village withdrawn by Northumberland Estates

Earlier this year, Northumberland Estates had submitted an application for nine ‘principal residence’ dwellings on a greenfield site off Swinhoe Road in Beadnell.

The proposed scheme had met with 93 objections from the parish council, AONB Partnership and many local residents.

Andy Brown, of campaign group Beadnell Under Threat, said: “It is a great relief for the beleaguered residents of Beadnell, who have suffered such a proliferation of recent developments, that Northumberland Estates has withdrawn its application to build yet another nine houses on Swinhoe Road.

“An overwhelming tsunami of 93 objectors (none in support), the parish council, the AONB Partnership and the conservation officer have swept aside an unwanted, unwarranted estate.

"It would have been too obtrusive in an unspoiled, agricultural landscape within the AONB and conservation area.

“As Guy Munden of Northumberland Estates indicated in the Northumberland Gazette of September 3 that, once the developments are complete, Northumberland Estates has no further medium or long-term plans for development in Beadnell, let us hope that he is as good as his word, now that the nine have been withdrawn, allowing the ‘principal residence’ restriction on new-builds in Policy 14 of the Neighbourhood Plan to be tried and tested with the ongoing 45-house development, known as ‘The Kilns’.”

Northumberland Estates, which looks after the business interests of the Duke of Northumberland, has been approached for comment.

It had envisaged a scheme of three affordable two-bedroom dwellings and six units for private sale, five of which would be three-bedroom and one two-bedroom.

A report accompanying the application stated: ‘The site offers good opportunities for the creation of a distinctive residential neighbourhood. The proposal seeks to provide a community with a distinct character and a strong sense of place.‘Careful consideration of dwelling height and orientation will allow access to views over the Northumberland coastline whilst reducing the impact of proposed development upon neighbouring existing dwellings, holiday homes, and the long range open views into the site.‘In summary, the project team believe the proposed development will become a positive addition to the Beadnell area.’

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