Northumberland Estates lodges appeal over refusal of Lesbury housing scheme

An appeal has been lodged by Northumberland Estates following the refusal of plans for a controversial new housing scheme.
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Its outline planning application for a development of around 41 homes on the northern edge of Lesbury was rejected by Northumberland County Council in January.

Northumberland Estates, which represents the business interests of the Duke of Northumberland, has appealed to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to overturn that decision.

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A separate application for up to 60 homes near Alnmouth railway station is still to be determined.

The proposed development site in Lesbury.The proposed development site in Lesbury.
The proposed development site in Lesbury.

Alnmouth Parish Council is to resubmit its original concerns about the Lesbury scheme.

Chairman Shaun Whyte, speaking at an online meeting, said: “We originally submitted a neutral comment but with concerns about whether it was appropriate for Lesbury, given they are two very big developments.”

The proposal was refused by officers at Northumberland County Council for several reasons, including its impact on open countryside.

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‘An incursion in this direction would potentially open up the land to north of Lesbury to further future development,’ reported planning officer James Bellis at the time.

The proposed site, with an indicated mix of two, three and four bedroom homes, would be accessed off the B1339 Longhoughton Road.

It would also include 20 affordable homes.

The application attracted 66 letters of objection relating to loss of a greenfield site, damage to the rural character of the village and the impact on wildlife, while concerns were raised that it was pre-empting the emerging Lesbury Neighbourhood Plan.

Objections were also raised Northumberland Coast AONB and Lesbury Parish Council.

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When the scheme was refused, Guy Munden, development planner at Northumberland Estates said: “It would be a great shame to see Lesbury and Hipsburn turn into yet another example of villages dominated by retired people and second home owners, losing the vital diversity of community which is so important if facilities such as the village school and local pub are not to suffer.”

Although they had not been confirmed, Northumberland Estates had indicated it was willing to contribute £28,500 in relation to primary healthcare infrastructure and a contribution of £24,600 in relation to off-site ecological matters.

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