The South East Planning Committee of Northumberland Council met on Monday 14 September 2026 to consider three planning applications. The applications involved a retrospective request for temporary seasonal use of land for recreation and community activities, a change of use for a former civic centre to an alternative education facility, and a change of use for a dwellinghouse to a children's residential home.

Determination of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider three planning applications, with the report pack detailing the proposals, relevant policies, consultee responses, and public representations for each.

Land East of Monks Lodge, Mitford

An application was scheduled for discussion regarding retrospective planning permission for the temporary seasonal use of land east of Monks Lodge, Mitford, Northumberland, NE61 2YJ. The proposal involved outdoor recreation, wellbeing, and community activities, including the use of a mobile refreshment trailer and associated ancillary works. The application sought permission for a temporary period of five years, with operation limited to between 1 April and 31 October each year, and a maximum of 60 operating days per calendar year. The applicant proposed a walk-in-only model with no customer parking provided on-site.

The report indicated that the site lies within the Northumberland Green Belt, and policies within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Northumberland Local Plan were material considerations. The report noted that the application had generated significant public interest, with 17 objections and 81 letters of support received. Objections raised concerns about the principle of development within the Green Belt, impacts on biodiversity, residential amenity, and highway safety. Supporters highlighted the social, recreational, and wellbeing benefits of the facility.

The recommendation from officers was that this application be refused planning permission. The reasons for refusal cited insufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed use would not result in unacceptable impacts on residential amenity, particularly regarding noise, and that it would not provide safe and suitable access or operate without unacceptable impacts on the surrounding highway network.

Former Blyth Civic Centre, Renwick Road, Blyth

The committee was scheduled to consider a change of use application for the former Blyth Civic Centre, located at Civic Centre, Renwick Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 2BX. The proposal was to change the use from its current Use Class E(g)i (office) to Use Class F1 (alternative education facility). This would involve minor external alterations and landscaping. The facility was intended to provide education for 40 students aged 16 and above, and 4 students with specific educational needs, supported by 31 staff.

The site is recognised as a non-designated heritage asset and is situated within the setting of the Blyth Bondicar Terrace Conservation Area. The report detailed that the building exhibits two parts: the original front section and a later rear extension. The locality primarily comprises residential dwellings.

Consultee responses indicated no objections from Blyth Town Council, the County Ecologist, Highways, the County Archaeologist, Education, or Public Protection, subject to conditions. The report noted one objection from a neighbour, raising issues related to access, parking, and boundary treatment, which were addressed by officers as not being planning-related concerns.

The recommendation was that this application be granted permission, subject to several conditions relating to approved plans, ecology, windows and doors, cycle parking, travel plans, electric vehicle charging, and a construction method statement.

35 Glebe Mews, The Chesters, Bedlington

The committee was scheduled to discuss a change of use application for a dwellinghouse at 35 Glebe Mews, The Chesters, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6LJ. The proposal was to change the use from Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Class C2 (residential institutions) for a children's residential home. The dwelling would accommodate up to 3 children with 3 staff on-site at any one time. No physical alterations to the property were proposed as part of this application.

The site is located at the end of a cul-de-sac within a residential area, with the wider estate exhibiting a mixture of dwelling types. The locality includes care homes, small businesses, a nursery, and a primary school.

Consultee responses indicated no objections from West Bedlington Parish Council, Public Protection, Fire & Rescue Service, Countryside/Rights of Way, Strategic Estates, Police, Highways, or Education. However, 20 objections were received from neighbours, raising concerns about highway safety, the character of the area, noise and disturbance, suitability of the location, and operational information. Officers addressed these objections, stating that highway safety was assessed by the Highways Department with no objection, and that amenity impacts were not identified as significant due to the lack of physical alterations and no objections from Public Protection or the Police.

The recommendation was that this application be granted planning permission, subject to conditions relating to approved plans.