Plan for homes on site of former car showroom in Northumberland turned down at appeal

The application, for the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of the new houses at Westroad Garage, on Rothbury Road in Longframlington, was unanimously refused at February’s meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council.

The site, which is owned by Tustain Motors, was until recently used as a car showroom with servicing and accident repair workshops, but market conditions led to its services being transferred to the company’s Alnwick base.

The proposals were for four four-bedroom properties and five three-bedroom dwellings, with two to be accessed from the existing entrance on Rothbury Road, another from Church Street and the other five via a new access from the estate road of Cairn Park.

Planners had recommended approval, but Coun Trevor Thorne, the local ward member, moved refusal on the grounds of design, height and massing as well as the impact on the nearby listed building, Rookwood House.

This decision was appealed by Tustain Motors, however, planning inspector Patrick Hanna dismissed this appeal last month.

In his decision notice, he concludes: ‘I have found that the development would not have a detrimental effect on the setting of the Rookwood House and adjacent cottage listed building.

‘However, this is outweighed by the harm caused to the character and appearance of Cairn Park from the excessive height of the northern terrace of the development.”