Neighbours' disappointment after housing development approved for Alnwick's Duke's School site

The Northumberland Estates’ application for almost 100 homes was approved by Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee on Tuesday, August 4, in line with the officers’ recommendation.

An initial motion to refuse the bid – based on the conflict with the Alnwick and Denwick Neighbourhood Plan (ADNP) – was voted down by 11 votes to two, before approval was passed by the same margin.

The overhaul will feature the conversion of the former school into 27 apartments plus the construction of 22 houses and bungalows, and a two-storey block of 49 retirement flats at the other end of the site, with a landscaped open area in the middle.

The Duke’s School Neighbourhood Residents Association (DSNRA), who were vocal opponents of the proposals from the outset, have released a statement reacting to the decision.

‘We are greatly saddened the planning committee has chosen to allow this application,’ it said. ‘It is our opinion that they have devalued the neighbourhood plan by setting a precedent that future developers can now use to overturn the democratic process.

‘Local green space, specifically designated because of its importance to the local community, as was the case with the southern end of the Duke’s School, once gone, cannot be reinstated. It would be irresponsible and negligent to allow any more breaches of this magnitude.’

The ADNP designates the southern half of the site as ‘local green space’, where ‘development will not be permitted other than in very special circumstances’.

Council planners felt there were very special circumstances in this case, but this was disputed by objectors, including Alnwick Town Council.

Director of planning, Rob Murfin, suggested the development ‘meets the aspirations of the community, albeit in a different way’.

In its statement, the DSNRA added: ‘We now urge the county council and developers (Northumberland Estates, McCarthy & Stone and whichever building contractor is used), to liaise properly with, and show some respect to, the residents who this will adversely impact.

‘We need close engagement over construction practices, timelines and any future planning consents required.’

Objectors also pointed out they had had support and advice from a professional planner and the Alnwick town councillors in scrutinising the proposed development, and “took great care in presenting a fair and balanced objection to the proposal”, but felt this was not sufficiently acknowledged.

Speaking after the meeting, committee chairman, Cllr Colin Horncastle, said he would not have wanted to cast aspersions on the group and its planning consultant.

He said some objectors may point out the application did not meet a specific policy of the neighbourhood plan, but that was missing the bigger picture, based on the advice of the likes of Mr Murfin, who has many years of planning experience.

“I do try to chair things very fairly,” he added. “I try to stick to procedure and I don’t try to upset people.”

Cllr Horncastle also pointed out that as chairman, he was the one responsible for ensuring that this application came to the committee to be decided in an open, public meeting.

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