Morpeth & Ashington Area - Developments

[WilfBurnsFan]

Copied over from the Retail thread:

Spent a few hours in Morpeth today. It was a sad thing to see so many empty premises on Newgate Street, and that's not counting Appleby's, which is having a assive closing down sale.* Despite my earlier post on Appleby's, it may not be Sanderson Arcade and Waterstones entirely to blame, though W'stones must surely have been the final straw. We ca only hope that Rutherfords and the wonderful ironmongers on Bridge Street make it through the apocalypse.

* Got two excellent books on urbanism, greatly reduced from the list price (I'd imagine) and a fiver each. Then the lady on the till said it was a fiver the lot - that the 'half price' advertised applied also to the red reduced sticker prices. I felt almost guilty paying them.

Mind you, they had so much obscure stock- lots of Americana including several shelves on baseball - that one can appreciate that the business model was fairly idiosyncratic. but I'd rather not get books for a fiver the pair (when the retail price must be north of forty or fifty quid) and still have Appleby's

[Newcastle Historian]

Applebys bookshop in Morpeth to re-think closure decision
by David Black, The Journal, April 27th 2012


THE OWNER of an iconic bookstore in Northumberland says an “amazing” response from loyal customers has made him re-think his decision to close. Applebys Bookshop – which has traded in Morpeth since 1884 and been owned by Tim Wallace and his family for 30 years – is a treasure trove of more than 50,000 books and attracts customers from all over the North of England.

The Journal revealed two months ago how Mr Wallace and his wife Alice had decided to shut up shop following a big slump in business caused by major roadworks in the town centre which as the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. Now a reprieve could be in sight for the Newgate Street store, which earned a reputation as one of the region’s leading independent bookshops and a place where many started their love affair with reading.

Mr Wallace, 49, has applied for planning permission to add a small cafe to the shop in the hope that it can help sustain the business by attracting more customers.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1tEBFlzko

[WilfBurnsFan]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Applebys bookshop in Morpeth to re-think closure decision
by David Black, The Journal, April 27th 2012


THE OWNER of an iconic bookstore in Northumberland says an “amazing” response from loyal customers has made him re-think his decision to close. Applebys Bookshop – which has traded in Morpeth since 1884 and been owned by Tim Wallace and his family for 30 years – is a treasure trove of more than 50,000 books and attracts customers from all over the North of England.

The Journal revealed two months ago how Mr Wallace and his wife Alice had decided to shut up shop following a big slump in business caused by major roadworks in the town centre which as the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. Now a reprieve could be in sight for the Newgate Street store, which earned a reputation as one of the region’s leading independent bookshops and a place where many started their love affair with reading.

Mr Wallace, 49, has applied for planning permission to add a small cafe to the shop in the hope that it can help sustain the business by attracting more customers.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1tEBFlzko

I shall go to Morpeth more often from now, I think. s well as Appleby's, I've also recently discovered the delights of the Tap & Spile just round the corner on Manchester Street. There's also a canny fish and chip restaurant going down to the river. A nice place to go for a mooch around.

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by WilfBurnsFan

I shall go to Morpeth more often from now, I think. s well as Appleby's, I've also recently discovered the delights of the Tap & Spile just round the corner on Manchester Street. There's also a canny fish and chip restaurant going down to the river. A nice place to go for a mooch around.

Yes, very fond of both those.

(and Appleby's of course, had a few rare finds there, going back a few years)

[skida]

Sounds like a good idea for a film: Little bookshop fights back against large retail group. Could have starred James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, or Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Seriously, I hope the store stays open, as we will one day rue the passing of the independent store

[WilfBurnsFan]

I see Goats on the Roof has closed down.

http://goatsontheroofcoffeeshop.blogspot.co.uk/

[Newcastle Historian]

Morpeth traffic lights spark huge controversy
by David Black, The Journal, May 11th 2012


Councillor David Parker at the new traffic lights in Morpeth

ANGRY residents last night demanded the scrapping of a new traffic management system which has sparked huge controversy in a Northumberland market town. More than 150 people crammed into Morpeth Town Hall for a public meeting at which they were given the chance to air their growing frustration and concern over the installation of the new traffic lights and road layout at the key junction next to the Telford Bridge in the town centre.

A show of hands resulted in virtually everyone in the hall indicating support for the immediate removal of the lights and the return of a mini-roundabout which they replaced. County council officials were heckled with cries of “rubbish”, and interrupted by comments from the floor, as they tried to claim that the new system is gradually improving since it was introduced during major roadworks in Morpeth six weeks ago.

In contrast, panel members who spoke in favour of doing away with the lights were greeted with sustained applause from the audience. The new lights and road layout are at a junction where traffic goes in and out of the town centre in three different directions. They were installed to cope with extra traffic which will be generated when a new Morrisons supermarket is built, but critics say they have resulted in longer delays, confusion for drivers and the risk of accidents.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1udfk70ID

[Newcastle Historian]

Ashington Leisure Centre £20m plans move forward
by David Black, The Journal, May 12th 2012


A MULTI-MILLION-POUND regeneration scheme for a former pit town has taken another step forward with the appointment of expert consultants to produce a new master plan for its future. Ashington is in line for a new £20m, multi-purpose leisure and community centre – which will replace its existing sports centre and also bring together a library and other public services under one roof.

The preferred location for the state-of-the-art facility is the former Asda supermarket site in Lintonville, just off the town centre, which was favoured by most local people during a consultation exercise.

Now Arch, the arms-length development company set up by the county council, and which is overseeing the Ashington project, has appointed global engineering consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff to produce design plans. It will draw up detailed plans for the centrepiece community which is intended to include a swimming pool, sports hall, gym, studio space, public library, a council information and advice point, registrar’s office, café and meeting space.

The consultants will also produce a wider master plan for the area, with proposals for how the £20m facility will link to the nearby town centre and have the maximum economic impact on Ashington.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1udp819dI

[Adrian_Swall]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Morpeth traffic lights spark huge controversy
by David Black, The Journal, May 11th 2012


Councillor David Parker at the new traffic lights in Morpeth

ANGRY residents last night demanded the scrapping of a new traffic management system which has sparked huge controversy in a Northumberland market town. More than 150 people crammed into Morpeth Town Hall for a public meeting at which they were given the chance to air their growing frustration and concern over the installation of the new traffic lights and road layout at the key junction next to the Telford Bridge in the town centre.

A show of hands resulted in virtually everyone in the hall indicating support for the immediate removal of the lights and the return of a mini-roundabout which they replaced. County council officials were heckled with cries of “rubbish”, and interrupted by comments from the floor, as they tried to claim that the new system is gradually improving since it was introduced during major roadworks in Morpeth six weeks ago.

In contrast, panel members who spoke in favour of doing away with the lights were greeted with sustained applause from the audience. The new lights and road layout are at a junction where traffic goes in and out of the town centre in three different directions. They were installed to cope with extra traffic which will be generated when a new Morrisons supermarket is built, but critics say they have resulted in longer delays, confusion for drivers and the risk of accidents.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1udfk70ID

This underlines why planning applications should be fully explained as the lights were part of the Morrisons development.
Not sure whether local councillors were fully aware of the implications of agreeing to the scheme.
The lights certainly came as a surprise to many.
If the lights are removed does that mean the supermarket scheme has to go through planning again?

[Newcastle Historian]

MP tries to get Ashington to be an Enterprise Zone
by Brian Daniel, The Journal, May 18th 2012


A SENIOR Government minister has given hope that aid will be rolled out to part of Northumberland rocked by the loss of a major employer. Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, has said the Government will “listen very carefully” to any bid to make the area around Rio Tinto Alcan’s Lynemouth smelter into an enterprise zone. The minister’s comments were last night called “the most encouraging news we have had for a while” by the area’s MP, who is to take up Mr Alexander’s invitation that he make a case for the designation.

The Journal reported earlier this year how the smelter, one of the region’s biggest private employers, is to close with the loss of 650 jobs. In a House of Commons debate on business and the economy, Labour MP for Wansbeck Ian Lavery urged the Government to extend the South East Northumberland enterprise zone to Ashington as well as including the site of the smelter. Mr Lavery told the debate that one in five working age adults in his constituency are receiving out-of-work benefits.

Enterprise Zones offer incentives to businesses such as tax-breaks and fast-track planning opportunities with capital allowances of grants for machinery and plant.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1vCweD2VB

[Newcastle Historian]

Morpeth Councillors hit out over u-turn on 200 homes plan
by David Black, The Journal, June 18th 2012


TOWN COUNCILLORS in Morpeth have voiced their anger and frustration over a decision by planners to make a U-turn on controversial plans to build 200 new homes on the outskirts of the town.

Mecca Bingo: Free Bingo for New Players They say they “bitterly regret” the decision by Northumberland County Council’s planing committee not to oppose an appeal by Bellway Homes against the refusal of its planning application to develop land at Loansdean, on the southern edge of the town.

And they say they are “appalled” that the decision was taken behind closed doors, without giving local residents and councillors the opportunity to challenge it.

The Journal revealed last week how the county council planning committee – which had rejected the Bellway application to build 200 homes four months ago – has now met in private and agreed not to contest the company’s appeal against the decision.

Councillors took legal advice from a barrister and decided that the refusal could not be defended successfully in light of the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which has a presumption in favour of sustainable developments.

It means local residents and councillors will have to make their case at next month’s planning appeal in Morpeth Town Hall without the backing of the county council.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1y86xZDZ1

[Newcastle Historian]

Work begins on AkzoNobel's Ashington plant
by Ruth Lognonne, The Journal, June 21st 2012



WORK has begun on a £100m paint-making plant, set to bring an employment boost to Ashington. International paint company AkzoNobel has chosen Ashington for the massive investment, which will treble its manufacturing capability in the region and bring up to 140 full-time jobs to the Northumberland town.

The new plant, which is due to be operational in late 2014, is one of the largest manufacturing investments in the region in recent years and the plant will become the home of the company’s Dulux paint operations.

Today the company has invited its contractors, Sir Robert McAlpine, to lift the first piece of turf to symbolise the start of the factory’s long-awaited construction. The famous Dulux dog will be attending the groundbreaking ceremony to represent one of AkzoNobel’s best-known brands, which also include names such as Polycell, Cuprinol and Hammerite.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business...1140-31227779/

[Newcastle Historian]

Morpeth traffic lights petition is signed by over 2,225 people
by David Black, The Journal, July 12th 2012


MORE THAN 2,225 people have backed calls for the removal of traffic lights and a new road junction layout which have whipped up a storm of controversy in a Northumberland market town. Campaigners who have organised a petition demanding the return of the former mini-roundabout junction next to the Telford Bridge in Morpeth town centre – claim it is one of the biggest to be handed over to the county council in recent years.

It comes as the council is preparing to hold a second public meeting later this week to update residents on the operation of the new junction, and give them the chance to let off more steam about what many claim are delays, confusion and danger facing drivers.

A previous public meeting held in May saw almost 200 people cram into the town hall and produced a unanimous show of hands for the immediate removal of the lights. The petition, which has been organised by local Conservatives, Morpeth chamber of trade and members of the community, was signed by 962 people on the town’s recent Fair Day, by 218 via the council’s online petitioning system and by 1,048 at a number of local shops and businesses.

County council bosses are expected to come under renewed fire at this week’s public meeting, to be held in the town hall tomorrow at 6.30pm. The traffic lights and revised junction were installed earlier this year to cope with the extra traffic that will be generated by a new Morrisons superstore currently being built at Low Stanners.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz20Oa8hPg3

[Newcastle Historian]

Removing Morpeth traffic lights will see town
grind to a halt, claims developer
by David Black, The Journal, July 14th 2012


The controversial traffic lights in Morpeth

A MARKET TOWN would “grind to a halt” if council bosses yield to massive public pressure and remove controversial new traffic lights, it is claimed. Almost 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for the new lights and junction system next to the Telford Bridge in Morpeth town centre to be taken out – and the return of the previous mini-roundabout.

The three-way lights have sparked one of the biggest public protests in the town for years after they were installed to cope with extra traffic which will be generated by a £24m Morrisons superstore being built at nearby Low Stanners.

Now they have been defended by Andrew Malley, retail property director with the store’s developer, Dransfield Properties, at a second public meeting held to discuss the row. Mr Malley said the Telford Bridge junction is the second busiest in Northumberland, with 700 vehicles per hour, and the new lights are needed to cater for the retail development. “If the mini-roundabout was put back in place, the town would grind to a halt because of the extra traffic from the supermarket,” he said. His claim was greeted with derision by most of the near-200 people at the meeting in Morpeth town hall.

Yesterday local Conservative county councillor, David Towns, said he had to wait for 17 minutes to get through the junction on Thursday evening. “We are seeing Morpeth grinding to a halt now, and we need action now,” he added.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz20aQ4jBiv

[Newcastle Historian]

Council quizzed over Morpeth Northern Bypass decision
by David Black, The Journal, August 2nd 2012


FINAL design work on a £30m relief road project is to be handed over to the private sector after council bosses spent an estimated £30,000 on getting advice from consultants. Northumberland County Council’s own in-house design team has been working on the Morpeth Northern Bypass scheme for several years, preparing planning applications and a successful bid for £21m in funding from the Department for Transport.

Now the council has decided to take away the final phase of design work from the County Hall team and award it to a private company. The decision was taken after the council commissioned a report – which it is claimed cost about £30,000 – from consultants Parsons Brinkerhoff on the best way of delivering the major road scheme.

Yesterday the authority’s Conservative group leader, Peter Jackson, said he does not support the decision as the best way forward, and claimed questions need to be asked about it. “This seems like a deliberate attempt to undermine our own workforce, who have been doing this job for a long time and have performed well. There must also be concerns about value for money and duplication of effort. We have got a fully staffed highways design team, yet we are apparently paying tens of thousands of pounds to external consultants to do the same work."


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz22NKAgVRO

[Newcastle Historian]

Hargreaves gets go-ahead for Morpeth opencast mine
By Karen Dent, The Journal, August 8th 2012,


INDUSTRIAL services group Hargreaves Services has got the green light for an opencast mine in Northumberland.

The Esh Winning-based business, which already operates a number of collieries and cokeworks in Yorkshire and Wales, has been granted planning permission by Northumberand County Council to Well Hill Surface Mine, near Morpeth, subject to certain conditions and agreements.

It aims to extract 130,000 tonnes of coal over a two-year period.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business...1140-31574491/

[Newcastle Historian]

Residents' group wins battle over plans to build 200 new homes on the edge of Morpeth
by David Black, The Journal, August 31st 2012


RESIDENTS have won a remarkable victory in their battle against a major new housing development – after being left to go it alone following a U-turn by councillors. Jubilant residents in Morpeth were celebrating yesterday after a Government planning inspector threw out the controversial bid by Bellway Homes to build 200 houses at Loansdean, on the southern outskirts of the town. The ruling represents a victory for people power after Northumberland County Council revealed two months ago that it would not seek to defend its original decision to refuse planning permission for the development.

Earlier this year the council’s planning committee rejected the Bellway application, which had sparked more than 200 letters of objection and a 468-name protest petition from townspeople. Opponents claim the scheme is in the wrong location, as plans to build a northern bypass for Morpeth mean that future housing development should be concentrated on that side of the town. They said it would prejudice the development of a comprehensive planning blueprint for the town and involve unnecessary building on green fields. They also voiced fears over whether the promised scale of affordable housing would be delivered.

Bellway appealed and in June the planning committee – after taking legal advice from a barrister and meeting in secret – said it would not defend its refusal decision at the public inquiry.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz256k1uC8l

[Newcastle Historian]

Morpeth residents see red on traffic lights march
by David Black, The Journal, September 1st 2012


'Larry the Lights Out Lion' leads the way as hundreds turn out for the Morpeth traffic lights protest

A LION led the way yesterday as a market town continued to roar its anger over the controversial installation of traffic lights at a key road junction. Morpeth resident David Clark – dressed up as “Larry the Lights Out Lion” – was the figurehead and mascot as almost 200 people took part in a protest march through the town centre. Organised by the recently-formed Lights Out campaign, the march ended with the delivery of a letter to council bosses at County Hall, demanding the removal of the traffic signals and the return of the previous mini-roundabout next to the Telford Bridge.

Setting off from the market place, the placard carrying marchers chanted for the removal of the three-way lights, and booed as they walked past the busy junction where they have been built. The event was staged just days after the county council agreed to carry out a wide-ranging review of the traffic network in Morpeth, following widespread anger and complaints about the new lights and junction arrangements.

Yesterday, Mr Clark, who lives in Morpeth and is one of the founder members of Lights Out, said: “These traffic lights are hindering the flow of traffic in what is a popular shopping destination. After four months they have had a good trial – they are not working and the people have spoken. The county council has now given a major concession to the campaign by agreeing to a full traffic review, and I think it is highly probable that the lights will be taken out.”


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz25Cfd6gry

[cranfan]

Surely the council will have done "before and after" traffic surveys to verify that the installation of the lights has had the desired effect?

[Newcastle Historian]

Council seeks compulsory purchase powers to ensure Morpeth Northern Bypass goes ahead
by David Black, The Journal, September 11th 2012


COMPULSORY purchase powers are being sought by council bosses to ensure a £30m road project in Northumberland is not held up by land acquisition problems. The proposed Morpeth Northern Bypass aims to reduce congestion in the market town and complete a major new road link between the A1 and communities in the urban south east of the county.

Next week County Councillors are expected to approve an application to the Government for a development consent order (DCO) for the scheme – including the legal power to acquire the land needed to build it. A report to the executive says the powers will ensure that no landowner can effectively “hold the council to ransom” by unreasonably delaying the sale of the required land.

Council officials stress that compulsory purchase is only a “back-up” option, and it is hoped land acquisition for the new road will happen through negotiation. The authority is currently carrying out a final round of public consultation on the scheme prior to applying for the DCO, which would grant planning permission for the bypass. Transport experts say it would reduce through traffic in Morpeth by between 15% to 20%, and help open up key housing development sites to the north of the town.


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