Plans lodged to increase capacity of Amble car park from 49 to 139

Northumberland County Council intends to expand the Turner Street car park, located within easy reach of the town centre and quayside, into adjacent scrubland.

The proposal would see capacity increased from 49 parking bays to 139 pay and display places.

There would also be provision for seven disabled parking bays and six electric vehicle bays.

The planning application also includes the demolition of an abandoned bungalow and associated boundary walls.

A report submitted alongside the application states: ‘Parking in the town centre is limited, therefore additional parking is required to meet demand.

‘At present the site is split into three distinct areas with only the south west corner presently in use as a council-operated car park.

‘The site was formerly the location of Coquet Hall and Cinema. This building was demolished before the year 2000 and has since been utilised by Northumberland County Council as an asphalt covered car park with around 49 parking bays serving the high street and surrounding area.’

As part of the proposed works, Coquet Syde, which was abandoned in the 1990s and has been left unoccupied since, would be demolished along with a 2.5m high wall that surrounds the property.

‘Their demolition would remove the present eyesore that these structures create within the area,’ states the report.

‘It is therefore considered that the demolition of this building and the surrounding walls will have a positive impact on the surrounding area with a new car park seen as an improvement by opening up the area.’

The car park would also replace scrubland in place since the demolition of a service garage and forecourt, Breeze Garage, at some point in the mid-2000s.

The site is bounded by Amble Marina and boat yard to the north, including a recently developed apartment block.

The new car park would feature an improved entrance from Turner Street, with new drainage, overhead lighting and a low level wooden fence around the site.

The report concludes: ‘It is not considered the proposed development will have a negative impact on its immediate setting or wider Amble.’

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