The Strategic Planning Committee of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 03 March 2026 to consider a planning application for variations to an approved scheme at The Maltings Theatre and Cinema in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and to receive an update on Section 106 agreements.

Determination of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider a planning application for 25/04579/VARYCO, relating to variations of conditions on an approved application at The Maltings Theatre and Cinema, Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The proposed variations aimed to revise the scheme to include more retention of the existing structure, reallocate internal spaces, and alter internal and external design details. The report pack indicated a recommendation to grant permission for this application, subject to conditions.

The report detailed that the application sought to vary conditions related to approved plans, noise from fixed plant, and an archaeological scheme of works. The revisions were a result of post-planning detailed design work, identifying operational improvements such as moving the main auditorium and relocating the cinema to enhance customer access, circulation, and backstage facilities. These changes would affect the external design and massing of the proposed building.

The application site is located centrally within Berwick-upon-Tweed, south of Marygate and west of Hide Hill, bordered by commercial and residential developments. The planning history of the site was noted, including a previous approval for part demolition, alterations, and extensions to the existing theatre.

Various consultee responses were included in the report. The Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council raised no objections. However, the Council's Building Conservation officer objected, stating that the proposed changes would diminish the quality of the scheme. The County Archaeologist had no objections, subject to updating the planning condition for the revised mitigation response. The County Ecologist also raised no objection, noting that the development could still achieve the mandatory 10% gain on site for biodiversity. The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) raised no objections, provided the approved documents and drawings were substituted with the newly submitted ones. Historic England and Theatres Trust raised no objections, with the latter supporting the scheme.

Public responses included 16 objections and 9 letters of support. Objections raised concerns about the process, transparency, harm to the conservation area and historic setting, architectural criticism, impact on tourism and heritage value, viability, construction risks, parking, access, street safety, and a perceived lack of local benefit. Supporters highlighted that the revised design positively responded to earlier concerns, offered significant improvements to accessibility and functionality, recognised site and funding constraints, and endorsed contemporary architecture and cultural value.

The report outlined relevant planning policies from the Northumberland Local Plan (NLP) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including those related to design, heritage assets, biodiversity, and transport. The appraisal section discussed the principle of development, design and massing, heritage impacts, amenity, highways, ecology, water management, and public protection. The report noted that while the overall height of the building would not change, the proposals would result in increased building heights in certain areas. The Council's Built Heritage and Design Officer expressed concerns that the changes would diminish the quality of the scheme, but the report concluded that the public benefits arising from the proposals would outweigh the identified harm, which was considered less than substantial for the purposes of the NPPF.

S106 Update

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on Section 106 (S106) agreements. This report, for members' information, was intended to detail the agreement, monitoring, and collection of S106 contributions within Northumberland during the previous month, January 2026. The report listed new S106 agreements completed during that period, relating to various land parcels across the county, including sites in Berwick upon Tweed and Cramlington. The S106 team's contact details were provided for any queries.