The North Planning Committee was scheduled to consider two planning applications, one for a change of use and extension to create a hotel in Bamburgh, and another for a change of use of a dwellinghouse to a residential institution in Lucker. The committee was also due to receive an update on Section 106 agreements.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider the determination of planning applications, as detailed in the Determination of Planning Applications report¹.

Change of Use and Extension for Hotel in Bamburgh

An application was scheduled for discussion regarding a change of use and extension at 5-6 Front Street, Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7BW. The proposal involved changing the use of two self-catering holiday cottages and a former hospitality premises to a single hotel (Use Class C1). This would include six en-suite guest bedrooms on the first floor, with ground-floor dining/bar areas, a kitchen, hotel office, and ancillary storage. The plans also included internal reconfiguration, external alterations, refuse and cycle storage, and associated parking. The applicant is Mr Richard Shell, with Mr Michael Rathbone acting as agent. The site is located within the Bamburgh Conservation Area, the AONB Coast, and an Impact Risk SSSI zone. The recommendation was to grant permission subject to a unilateral undertaking for a coastal mitigation contribution of £1037.00. Concerns had been raised by Bamburgh Parish Council and local residents regarding parking and the potential overdevelopment of the site, as well as the impact on neighbouring businesses and the shared access. The Northumberland Coast AONB officer had also raised concerns about parking but acknowledged improvements to the design. The Highways authority initially objected due to insufficient parking information but later raised no objection after the applicant provided a parking assessment and management plan. The report noted that the site had a previous planning history relating to its use as a restaurant and hotel.

Change of Use to Residential Institution in Lucker

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for a change of use of Chapeltrees Cottage, Lucker, Belford, Northumberland, NE70 7HS. The proposal was to change the use of the dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a residential institution (Use Class C2) to be used as a home for two children in care. No internal or external changes were proposed to the property. The applicant is Addis Town Planning Ltd. The Adderstone With Lucker Parish Council objected to the proposal, citing concerns about the proximity to the A1 Mousen bends, the lack of footpaths, and the potential safety risks for pedestrians and the children. Concerns were also raised by neighbouring residents regarding highway safety, the suitability of the location for children at risk of going missing, and limitations on emergency response times in the rural area. The Police Architectural Liaison Officer noted concerns about accessibility for emergency services in a rural location and recommended a condition restricting the number of children to two. The Highways authority raised no issues with the proposal. The report indicated that the property would be managed by trained professionals and regulated by Ofsted, with children being matched to suitable locations and staff teams. The recommendation was to grant permission, subject to a condition restricting the number of children resident at the premises to two.

S106 Report

The committee was scheduled to receive the S106 report ² for Members' information. This report details the agreement, monitoring, and collection of Section 106 contributions in the planning process throughout Northumberland during November and December 2025. Section 106 agreements are legal obligations entered into by developers to mitigate the impact of their developments, often by contributing to local infrastructure or community facilities. The report listed new Section 106 agreements completed during these months and also noted an award paid to East Bedlington Parish Council for a play area.