Draft plan launch

We have had to cancel the meeting referred to below.

The Council have advised that because of our adjacency to various protected habitats the plan will have to have a Habitat Regulations Assessment and a Strategic Environmental Assessment before the formal public consultation. Had the Council's Core Strategy been implemented according to the original timetable, this would not have been necessary as the assessments would have been done as part of that plan. Unfortunately this will delay the consultation by a couple of months.

The assessments are unlikely to raise major issues but they still have to be done. We are getting technical support from a Government programme to do them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There will be a public meeting on Monday 28 November at 7pm at Seahouses Social Club to launch a six week consultation on the draft neighbourhood plan. There will be drop in sessions in Bamburgh (Tuesday morning at the Castle Hotel), Beadnell (Tuesday afternoon in the WI Hall) and Seahouses (Wednesday morning, location to be advised).

The introduction sets the context of the plan and the consultation; the draft plan is being finalised for presentation on the 28th:

This area is special because of the natural beauty and isolation of the landscape combined with our cultural history. But over the last few years it has been damaged by unsuitable development that in many cases has been in conflict with, rather than responding to, these characteristics. It is crucial that further development does not do further damage. These characteristics drive the economy of the area as well as deserving protection in their own right. 

The area also faces the problems resulting from the success of the visitor economy: house prices are high and many jobs are seasonal.

These factors are why the three parish councils of North Sunderland, Bamburgh and Beadnell have come together to develop this draft neighbourhood plan. Although Northumberland County Council’s emerging local plan does provide some guidance for this area, we believe that we should set out specific planning policies and aspirations. Things don’t stand still: further development will come to the area, and it is important for the economy and the residents that it does so. But it is also important that development matches the aspirations of those of us who live here.

The area faces some contentious current and potential planning applications. This plan is of necessity neutral on individual applications but sets out principles of good design which respect the neighbourhood. They will not have planning weight unless the plan is adopted but we hope future applications take the principles into account.

This draft plan has been based on consultation with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. This is your chance to contribute to and comment on a complete draft. I hope you take advantage of this opportunity – and note that comments in support of any aspects are just as important as suggested changes.

Once this stage is complete, in mid January, we will deal with the comments and will start the formal consultation process with the County Council.