The South East Planning Committee was scheduled to consider a planning application for a change of use at a property in Bedlington. The committee was also scheduled to determine other planning applications as part of its delegated powers.

Determination of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider planning applications, with a report detailing recommendations for each. Printed letters of objection or support were not circulated with the agenda but were available on the council's website.

Change of Use at 35 Glebe Mews, Bedlington

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a change of use at 35 Glebe Mews, The Chesters, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6LJ¹. The proposal was to change the use of the dwellinghouse from Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Class C2 (residential institutions) to establish a children's residential home. The application sought permission for the property to accommodate up to three children, with three staff members present at any one time, and a minimum of two staff on duty at all times.

The report pack indicated that the application had been deferred twice previously. A site visit had taken place on 12 October, and a further deferral occurred on the same afternoon. The application was referred to the Director of Housing & Planning and the Chairs of the South East Committee for consideration due to potential issues of strategic, wider community, or significant County Council interest, before it was confirmed that the South East Planning Committee was scheduled to determine it.

The site is located at the end of a cul-de-sac within a residential area, with the wider estate predominantly comprising C3 use dwellings. The locality also includes care homes, small businesses, a nursery, and a primary school.

The report pack detailed that 20 objections had been received from neighbours, raising concerns including highway safety, impact on the character of the area, noise and disturbance, suitability of the location, loss of amenity, and potential crime impact. However, the Highways Department had responded with no objection, stating no issues arose from the proposal. Public Protection and the Police also raised no objections in principle. The report noted that legal covenants and commercial waste were not planning matters.

The report pack outlined that the proposal was considered to be in accordance with national and local planning policies, including the Northumberland Local Plan² and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)³. Policies related to spatial strategy, sustainable development, housing for vulnerable people, design, amenity, highway safety, public protection, and public safety were highlighted as relevant. The report indicated that the proposal was not expected to result in any physical changes to the site, thus having no impact on its aesthetic character. Regarding highway safety, the report stated that Highways had confirmed no severe impact on the transport network was anticipated. Public Protection had also raised no objection regarding noise and disturbance. The Police had no objection in principle, having reviewed the operational management plan and associated documents.

The recommendation within the report pack was that the application be granted planning permission, subject to conditions. These conditions included commencing the development within three years and adhering to the approved plans. Informatives were also listed, including advice regarding coal mining areas, legal claims of ownership, and biodiversity net gain requirements.