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NORTHUMBERLAND Area Developments - Areas of Northumberland NOT covered on the Newcastle Metro Area Forum

99K views 396 replies 21 participants last post by  Ken O'Heed 
#1 ·
A QUESTION . . .

Are there any geographical parts of North East England that are not really covered by our various internal "City-led" sub-forums?

There does appear to be those more-rural areas in between the main urban areas covered by our internal sub-forums, that often seem to 'fall through the cracks' for coverage here on SSC.

This 'communal area' underneath the links to those sub-forums, seems a good place for these (often covering shared subjects) for threads for these areas to be kept.

AN EXAMPLE . . .

The remit of the 'Newcastle Metro Area' sub-forum includes South Northumberland, and to that end we have "Area Developments" threads on there for places like Blyth and Cramlington, and as far North as Morpeth. We also have the 'Tyne Valley' covered on its own Developments thread, for places like Prudhoe and Hexham.

However, areas of Northumberland further West than Prudhoe/Hexham, and further North than (say) Morpeth probably do not readily fall under the "Newcastle Metro Area" remit.

So, I think we can cover areas like this in new threads here in this 'communal area' of our North East England Forum

I thought I would kick it off with this thread entitled - Northumberland Area Developments - Areas and Subjects NOT being covered on the "Newcastle" Forum

In conclusion:

I will also set up similar "subjects not being covered on" threads for other similar areas such as North Lincolnshire (near Hull) County Durham (near Sunderland and Durham Cities) etc.

This would provide coverage for areas of our region that have really been 'left out' so far, as well as (at long last) utilising this almost 'empty' area of our forum, underneath the links to our internal City-led Sub-forums, that many of us 'pass through' every time we log in . .

Our own North East England "Communal Area" . . .
 
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#81 ·
North Blyth residents concerned over biomass power plant plans
by David Black, The Journal, June 30th 2011


FAMILIES in a tiny seaside village fear their quality of life will be damaged by plans to build a £250m green power plant near their homes.

People in 84-home North Blyth, Northumberland say the eco-friendly tag placed on the proposed 100-megawatt biomass generating plant disguises potentially harmful impacts on their community.

They have voiced concerns that the station – planned for the Battleship Wharf cargo handling site on the banks of the River Blyth – will create noise, traffic and emissions problems, tower over their homes and affect house prices.

Residents are making their concerns known via Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery and local councillors, as green energy company RES prepares to submit a formal planning application later this year.

The biomass plant, which would provide enough renewable electricity for 170,000 homes a year, will create between 200 and 300 construction jobs, and between 40 and 50 permanent posts.

It will include a group of fuel storage buildings up to 25 metres tall and a 60/70m-tall boiler house with a chimney up to 100m tall.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...wer-plant-plans-61634-28966320/#ixzz1QkTEgCY7
 
#82 ·
Major redevelopment planned for
Hettons Estate, near Lowick

by Brian Daniel, The Journal, July 6th 2011


PLANS for a major redevelopment of a Northumberland estate look set to be given the green light tomorrow night.

Proposals for a “mansion” home and other dwellings – an extension of an existing shooting enterprise and creation of visitor accommodation and office space on the Hettons Estate, near Lowick – go before Northumberland County Council, with a recommendation that they be approved.

The 3,250 acre estate was owned by the Co-Op until the mid 1980s when it was sold to Conservative Lord Nigel Vinson.

In 1992, he sold it to Sarah and Duncan Davidson, founder of Persimmon Homes, after which it was farmed as part of the larger Lilburn Estates.

Last year, the Hettons estate was sold to Jan and Nico Geertzema, a Dutch father and son who formed the President Estate Farming Partnership.

In May, the pair submitted four planning applications to the county council to overhaul the estate.

The Geertzemas propose a new “mansion” home for them to live in, five other dwellings, an extension of the Hettons’ shooting enterprise, the creation of new visitor accommodation including a 70-bed camping barn, and the creation of new office space for the management of the farming operation.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz1RJJg0rFe
 
#83 ·
.
This is an interesting story for me, as my Father worked for the 'Forestry Commission' (VERY hard work it was too) for six months in 1954 - planting trees!!

Could well be that HIS trees are being cut down right now!



10 million trees to be felled at Kielder Forest
by Tony Henderson, The Journal, July 12th 2011



BABY boomer trees have boosted a Northumberland forest’s production to new heights.

It is anticipated that up to two million trees will be felled this year in Kielder Water & Forest Park.

That rate is expected to be maintained for around five years as conifers planted in the years after the Second World War become ready for harvesting.

About 440,000 tonnes of timber worth around £12m will be produced in Kielder this year – over 25% of all the wood harvested in England.

And the scale of the operation is creating “timber tourism”.

Last year the Forestry Commission took people behind the scenes in the 155,000-acre forest to watch trees being felled by huge £300,00 harvesting machines.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...-kielder-forest-61634-29034956/#ixzz1RsgZyUyu
 
#84 ·
Haltwhistle water tower to be turned into youth club
by Paul Tully, The Journal, July 21st 2011



A YOUTH worker has completed a “personal crusade” to improve services for young people in her home town.

Thanks to the dedication of Ayesha Banks, the 150-year-old water tower at Haltwhistle Station in Northumberland is to be turned into an up-to-date base for local youths to hone their work skills and build a firm foundation for their futures.

With the backing of the Haltwhistle Partnership and West Northumberland Youth Service, for whom she works, Ayesha, 23, has raised £24,000 in funding from eight different sources.

The cash will go towards equipping the water tower – which was used as a cafe and bike shop but has stood empty for a year – with modern gadgetry including computers, TVs and even a kitchen for the youths to take cookery classes.

With the Main Street Youth Club facilities in the church hall too cramped, Haltwhistle Partnership trustees backed the plans for the water tower, for which change-of-use planning permission was granted.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...into-youth-club-61634-29092260/#ixzz1Sj5bZXcn
 
#85 ·
Claim that 'Wind Farm' plan will destroy landscape
by Paul Tully, The Journal, July 27th 2011


WIND TURBINES planned for a scenic area in the heart of Northumberland would “overwhelm and destroy” the landscape, a public inquiry was told yesterday.

The four 125-metre-high turbines at Kirkharle were on an unjustifiable scale and would dominate and detract from the area, Paul Tucker QC said.

Mr Tucker, representing Northumberland County Council on the first day of a two-week inquiry, said the scheme devised by green energy firm RWE Renewables of Swindon would blight the life of residents in and around the Bavington Conservation Area.

The council accepted the principle of wind farm development and was “acutely aware” of national Government energy targets, Mr Tucker added, but this is an inappropriate development and undermines confidence in the low-carbon agenda,” he said.

“The applicants could in our opinion have designed a scheme which respects the area and protects its future. Turbines on this unjustifiable scale will dominate and detract from the area and replace it with a wind farm landscape.”


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...stroy-landscape-61634-29124788/#ixzz1TILXzt2u
 
#86 ·
Rural North East councils could lose essential funds
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, August 4th 2011


Rural areas of the North East could be left without enough money to fund essential council services, leaders have warned.

Northumberland County Council is worried that a Government funding shake-up will severely disadvantage rural areas.

Ministers want to see councils handed control over the business rates they collect from local firms, ending the current process in which the money is handed to the Government and redistributed based on a council’s needs.

But the cash collected in sparsely populated Northumberland is far less than that handed back to it by the Government, meaning a multi-million pound funding gap could hit the council.

Already the authority is making £45m cuts in just one year, leading to plans to axe hundreds of jobs.

Council leaders have been given assurances that no authority will lose out, although critics have pointed out that this may not last past the first two years of the changes.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...essential-funds-61634-29174182/#ixzz1U2llaD00
 
#87 ·
Belford Development Trust close to collapse after row
by Brian Daniel, The Journal, August 4th 2011


A TRUST set up to help the development of a Northumberland village is on the brink of extinction amid a row with a parish council.

Belford Development Trust was on the verge of being dissolved at a meeting last week due to it not having enough members.

The trust’s chairman has claimed that the shortage of members was because of an alleged campaign against the trust conducted by Belford Parish Council, and has since resigned in anger because of the alleged treatment.

These suggestions have however been denied by the parish council, which insists it has only been asking legitimate questions.

At last week’s meeting it was decided not to scrap the trust at present to give it a chance to recruit new members.

However, should that not happen, the body could be wound up in the coming weeks.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...lapse-after-row-61634-29174082/#ixzz1U2sGHruh
 
#88 ·
Northumberland a wind turbine dumping ground
The Journal, August 4th 2011


NORTHUMBERLAND has become a "dumping ground" for wind turbines, a county councillor claims.

According to Wansbeck and Sleekburn Labour councillor Jeff Gobin, there are other counties in England which don’t have any wind farms but Northumberland is being overwhelmed with applications.

Coun Gobin spoke out firmly against proposals from Newcastle-based TNEI for a three-year wind-speed test mast standing 80 metres high on scenic land near the hamlet of Molesden, between Morpeth and Whalton.

It is commonly perceived as the forerunner to another wind farm in Northumberland, and local residents have set a major protest campaign in motion.

Coun Gobin told a packed meeting of the County Council’s Planning and Environment Committee: “I question the need for this mast in the first place.

“It looks like the North East, particularly Northumberland, has become the dumping ground for these wind turbines.

“There are counties throughout the country that have no wind turbines. Let’s have them at Buckingham Palace or the Houses of Parliament – but not just in our back yards.”


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...-dumping-ground-61634-29176648/#ixzz1U2slh7nQ
 
#89 ·
Uproar at plans to build wind turbines at Elsdon
The Journal, August 9th 2011


PLANS are in the offing for a wind farm close to an historic Northumberland landmark and on the boundary of a national park.

Wind company Air Farmers Ltd is working on a scheme for nine turbines, 125m high, at Elsdon, close to the Grade II listed Winter’s Gibbet and directly beside the boundary of Northumberland National Park and the A696.

The gibbet, said to be around 1km from the turbine site, is a gallows type structure from which a wooden head hangs.

It recalls the hanging of a man and two women in the later 18th century for murder, with the man’s body supposedly having been left to rot at the site.

Details of the scheme first emerged at a meeting of Elsdon Parish Council, which was attended by planning consultant Bob Morgan on behalf of Air Farmers.

The meeting was told a scoping report for the development – which would be known as Middle Hill Renewables Ltd – is to be submitted to Northumberland County Council within the next week.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...bines-at-elsdon-61634-29201139/#ixzz1UWBQMbXP
 
#90 ·
Lynemouth fuel plant project to get green light
by David Black, The Journal, September 1st 2011


The Alcan power station in Lynemouth, Northumberland

A MULTI-million pound fuel conversion project aimed at safeguarding the future of Northumberland’s biggest private sector employer is set to be given the green light by council planners next week.

Bosses at Rio Tinto Alcan say that unless the 630-job complex at Lynemouth switches from coal-fired to biomass generation for its power needs, it will cease to be economically sustainable.

The company – which is currently carrying out a review of options for the future of the aluminium smelter and power station – says it is vital to move from its traditional power source of coal to more environmentally-friendly biomass to remain viable. It wants to switch to full biomass generation, an investment estimated to cost £50m, by April 2013.

Next week county councillors are expected to support efforts to safeguard the key employer by approving plans to build 10 biomass pellet storage silos on land next to the Alcan power station.

A report to the planning and environment committee says, in addition to the 630 jobs at Lynemouth, Alcan supports between 2,500 and 3,000 indirect jobs in the wider supply chain. Also, the 12 to 18 month scheme to convert the power station to biomass will create about 250 construction jobs, according to planning officers.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/busines...nt-project-to-get-green-light-51140-29343334/
 
#91 ·
.
In continuation of MANY previous posts on this thread, about this story . .

Work set to start on Newbiggin
townscape improvement scheme

by David Black, The Journal, September 7th 2011


WORK is about to start on a £150,000 townscape improvement project which sparked a row over plans to get rid of a traditional seaside bandstand.

Anger erupted in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland last year when it was revealed that the upgrade to the Quay Wall area of the town involved the removal of its 1930s bandstand.

County council bosses said they wanted to dismantle it as part of the scheme to “de-clutter” the central piazza area next to the promenade.

A protest petition was signed by 132 people who wanted the bandstand saved, and a public consultation exercise resulted in 84% support for its retention.

Eventually the council relented and dropped the demolition plan, instead opting to give the bandstand a facelift including a new paint job.

Now work is set to begin on the wider improvements to the surrounding Quay Wall area, which is at the heart of Newbiggin’s conservation area.

The project aims to create an improved focal point for the town, and a more open and usable space for community events and activities.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...rovement-scheme-61634-29375920/#ixzz1XG5JrQSb
 
#92 ·
Optimism growing for Widdrington's Blue Sky Forest project
by David Black, The Journal, September 8th 2011


OPTIMISM is growing that a multi-million pound tourism, sporting and leisure vision based on three Northumberland opencast coal mines will become a reality.

Partners behind the ambitious Blue Sky Forest project at Widdrington are holding a key meeting this month with the aim of devising a detailed masterplan and a mechanism for delivery.

They will hold a further round of public consultations next month and have set up a joint steering group with the county council and potential developers to work on a formal application for planning permission, which could be submitted within months.

Blue Sky Forest involves transforming 2,500 acres of land at the Stobswood, Maidens Hall and Steadsburn surface mines, and creating hundreds of jobs.

The scheme, which was updated and revised in a 2009 feasibility study by consultants Wardell Armstrong, includes two golf courses – one of them international-standard – a major multi-sport academy, a hotel, spa and holiday village, outdoor adventure centres.

It also includes a dry ski slope, a 4x4 driving experience, two lakes for watersports and recreation, equine facilities, an indoor leisure centre and the generation of renewable energy from a wind farm.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...-forest-project-61634-29384481/#ixzz1XLcuVLVR
 
#93 ·
Plans to build 500 new homes at
former Northumberland pit sites

by David Black, The Journal, September 15th 2011


MULTI-MILLION pound plans to redevelop two former Northumberland colliery sites will finally go before county councillors next week – more than six years after the last of them closed.

The projects – drawn up by Britain’s biggest mining company, UK Coal – envisage 500 new homes, employment units and shops to transform the disused sites at neighbouring Ellington and Lynemouth.

Housing-led regeneration proposals were first submitted by UK Coal’s property arm, Harworth Estates, more than two years ago, and there have been protracted discussions with council planning officials prior to the outline schemes being put before councillors next week.

At Ellington Colliery – whose closure in January 2005 finally ended the region’s once-mighty links with deep mining – Harworth Estates proposes 300 houses, almost 20,000sq ft of offices, 18,622sq ft of shopping space and eight units where people can both live and work.

At the 65-acre Lynemouth Colliery site, it is planned to build 200 homes, 20,000sq ft of industrial units, six acres of open storage and five live/work units.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...humberland-pits-61634-29424962/#ixzz1Y0NJoZYW
 
#214 ·
400 homes planned for old colliery site - Ellington

Plans to build 500 new homes at
former Northumberland pit sites

by David Black, The Journal, September 15th 2011


MULTI-MILLION pound plans to redevelop two former Northumberland colliery sites will finally go before county councillors next week – more than six years after the last of them closed.

The projects – drawn up by Britain’s biggest mining company, UK Coal – envisage 500 new homes, employment units and shops to transform the disused sites at neighbouring Ellington and Lynemouth.

Housing-led regeneration proposals were first submitted by UK Coal’s property arm, Harworth Estates, more than two years ago, and there have been protracted discussions with council planning officials prior to the outline schemes being put before councillors next week.

At Ellington Colliery – whose closure in January 2005 finally ended the region’s once-mighty links with deep mining – Harworth Estates proposes 300 houses, almost 20,000sq ft of offices, 18,622sq ft of shopping space and eight units where people can both live and work.

At the 65-acre Lynemouth Colliery site, it is planned to build 200 homes, 20,000sq ft of industrial units, six acres of open storage and five live/work units.

Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...humberland-pits-61634-29424962/#ixzz1Y0NJoZYW
Courtesy of the Morpeth Herald @ http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/400-homes-planned-for-old-colliery-site-1-6911086
400 homes planned for old colliery site
23rd October 2014

A major development plan has been submitted that could see 400 houses built in a Northumberland village.

Harworth Estates has put forward the proposal for the former Ellington Colliery site as it seeks outline planning permission. The development would also include small-scale retail provision, improvements to Ellington Business Centre, a heritage park and play areas.

In addition, a full planning application has been submitted to provide two full-size pitches and a mini-soccer pitch for Ellington Juniors FC, with potential for a clubhouse. The application states: “Overall, the delivery of new, contemporary housing, designed to a high standard, along with the associated retail, business and play facilities will lift the status and quality of the village, sustain existing services and attract new people to the area who can contribute further to the community and the local economy.”

The colliery site has been vacant since the pit closed in 2005.

Full details of the proposed development would follow if the outline application is granted, but Harworth Estates says the housing will vary in size and tenure, and could include bungalows.

Read more @ http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/400-homes-planned-for-old-colliery-site-1-6911086

14/03016/FUL | Hybrid planning application comprising - Outline application for residential development of up to 400 dwellings, small scale retail provision (up to 350 sqm gross), associated access details. Full planning approval sought for football pitches and access via Lynemouth Road. | Land South Of Aiden Grove And Lynemouth Road Lynemouth Road Ellington Northumberland

Reference 14/03016/FUL
Alternative Reference PP-03639843
Application Received Thu 11 Sep 2014
Address Land South Of Aiden Grove And Lynemouth Road Lynemouth Road Ellington Northumberland
Proposal Hybrid planning application comprising - Outline application for residential development of up to 400 dwellings, small scale retail provision (up to 350 sqm gross), associated access details. Full planning approval sought for football pitches and access via Lynemouth Road.
Status Pending Consideration
http://publicaccess.northumberland....s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NBOBI7QSM9W00
 
#95 ·
Rothbury bridge U-turn is a victory for town
by Brian Daniel, The Journal, September 21st 2011


TOWNSFOLK in Northumberland have secured victory in a row over work to a historic bridge after heritage bosses performed a U-turn.

People living at Rothbury will see its road bridge over the River Coquet restored largely in line with their wishes, after English Heritage withdrew its objections and gave approval for the work.

Last night, people at Rothbury described the news as a victory for the community.

Northumberland County Council came up with plans to strengthen and improve the appearance of the bridge, which dates to the 15th century and is the oldest structure in Rothbury.

The council plans sought to restore the bridge as close to how it looked pre 1909, replacing the current metal railings with stone, restoring the parapets and putting cutwaters back on the structure. The project is expected to cost £3m, with the council having allocated £975,000 last year and given a further £1.6m this year.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...ictory-for-town-61634-29458293/#ixzz1YZcyJLGt
 
#96 ·
Residents oppose Haltwhistle United club expansion plan
by Paul Tully, The Journal September 23rd 2011



A RESIDENTS’ action group opposing a football club’s development plans told a public inquiry the field should be officially made a village green.

They claim the Old School Field at Haltwhistle, Northumberland, has been in common recreational use for more than the 20 years required by law to confer village green status.

That would block Haltwhistle United’s plans for new changing rooms and a car park on the site.

Battle lines have been drawn with landowners Haltwhistle Town Council and the town’s Social Welfare Centre, who say the field should be upgraded.

Residents in adjacent streets have adopted the village green bid to block the club’s plans.

Under the 2006 Commons Act, the Fairfield Park and Willia Road Neighbourhood Action Group needs to prove that the field has been widely used for other recreation by “a significant number of inhabitants” for more than 20 years.

Yesterday the action group drafted in several of Haltwhistle’s senior citizens to deliver their memories of the field.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...-expansion-plan-61634-29471657/#ixzz1YlBUISra
 
#97 ·
Warning over risk to Northumberland green belt
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, September 24th 2011


There are concerns that the new laws do not offer enough protection for sites such as Hadrian's Wall

GREEN BELT sites across Northumberland will come under threat as a result of Government planning changes, ministers have been warned. Northumberland County Council is the latest authority to consider the impact of a series of radically pro-business changes to national planing guidelines.

Ministers want councils to increase the number of homes built and to judge all planning applications on the assumption they will be granted unless there is a strong reason against giving the go-ahead.

Already this week Newcastle and Gateshead have said they will have to build around 10,000 new homes on green belt land as a result of Government changes. Now Northumberland has revealed it too may have to allow villages to expand considerably in order to meet planning changes.

Officers at Northumberland County Council are keen to see more affordable housing allowed in rural areas in order to turn around a situation in which many people cannot afford to buy property in the villages they grew up in, but because the Government is removing the focus on using up previously developed land first, builders will be given a much stronger hand to move for expansion into the green belt.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...land-green-belt-61634-29478381/#ixzz1Yr47zp2M
 
#98 ·
Wark Bridge to reopen by October 21
by Paul Tully, The Journal, September 29th 2011


A VICTORIAN village bridge undergoing urgent repairs will reopen temporarily next month – and restore a vital supply line to the local economy.

The 133-year-old Wark Bridge in the North Tyne Valley will be back in use for traffic by October 21 after a delay in the first phase of a four-stage, £2.1m repair programme.

And that will end the long diversion that has hit the tourist trade and local businesses.

A phased work schedule lasting until 2017 and spanning five financial years began in January.

But hopes of reopening the bridge after the first phase of work in July were stalled when a severe crack in a stone support was discovered.

However, work has progressed well and a liaison group meeting on Tuesday confirmed the October 21 reopening date.

“There is an outside chance it could reopen shortly before then,” said ward councillor Edward Heslop. “But we are on target for the reopening by October 21.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...n-by-october-21-61634-29505898/#ixzz1ZKHw6B9m
 
#99 ·
Rugby player tackles pub trade in Craster, Northumberland
by Iain Laing, The Journal October 7th 2011



ONE of Northumberland’s best-known pubs has been taken over by former rugby player David Whitehead who wants to turn it into a favourite with food-lovers.

Whitehead has bought the Jolly Fisherman in Craster and recruited two well-respected North East chefs to overhaul its menu to make the most of the local seafood and its popularity with visitors to the spectacular coastline and nearby Dunstanburgh Castle.

“I’ve always been passionate about food and I have got in two of Northumberland’s best chefs to make this place a real destination. It’s always been popular but I don’t think its potential had been tapped into before,” he said.

“We’ve got some spectacular views out to sea and stunning landscapes nearby and fantastic local ingredients like crab and lobster.

“We’re going to keep doing the crab sandwiches and soup which are so popular, but we are going to put together a menu which sees simple ingredients cooked really well. I hope this is going to put this place on the map as somewhere to eat.”

Whitehead is also going to totally refurbish the pub early next year.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/busines...s-pub-trade-in-northumberland-51140-29553893/
 
#100 ·
. . . the Jolly Fisherman in Craster
Now that is something to look forward to!
Richard Simms and John Blackmore have been two of my favourite Chefs for sometime and I was sadenned to hear that JB had lost his 'Blackmore's' Restaurant in Alnwick's former 'Plough Inn'.

The Jolly Fisherman is an odd pub, though. Very traditional customers, with a pool table and football on the TV, it used to be run by two chain smokers and attracted heavy smoking customers. The colour of the walls and permanent nicotine smell made the point clearly.
Come the smoking ban, all that stopped of course, but the irony was that just over the road is Craster's kipper Smoking House, still choking with the smouldering and fuming embers of their workplace.
 
#102 ·
Hartford Hall residents oppose plans to build 23 new homes on troubled estate.
by David Black, The Journal, October 13th 2011



PEOPLE living on a troubled housing estate developed around a former Northumberland mansion are strongly opposing a new bid to build more homes there.

The vast majority of residents in the 71 properties at upmarket Hartford Hall near Bedlington have signed a protest petition against plans for a further 23 houses on the estate’s Low Meadow.

They claim the building scheme is unnecessary and would ruin the character of the estate, where work on the original development has never been properly completed.

Next week county councillors are expected to agree to hold a site visit before making a decision on the planning application next month.

Hartford Hall has been beset by problems since permission was first granted 10 years ago to redevelop the dilapidated former Georgian former mansion and its 58-acre grounds.

Residents say the estate has been left with unfinished roads, missing gates, unsightly open spaces and inadequate street lighting because of a failure to complete promised infrastructure work.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...troubled-estate-61634-29586306/#ixzz1ae7pJNTS
 
#103 ·
Alcan Aluminium Smelter jobs under threat
by Stephen Cape, The Journal, October 18th 2011



A THREAT to hundreds of jobs in Northumberland was raised yesterday when the owners of an aluminium plant said it was considering closure.

Rio Tinto, which owns the smelting plant in Lynemouth, has revealed plans to “streamline its aluminium interests” which include the 650-job smelter and power station in Northumberland.

North East MPs and union officials called the news of the possible closure “potentially devastating” and urged the Government to intervene.

Rio Tinto is selling six aluminium plants in Australia and New Zealand while a group of “non-core” assets, which include the Northumberland site, will be managed by the company until a final decision is made about their future.

John McCabe, Alcan Aluminium UK Corporate Director said: “We have not found a buyer for the smelter which employs 510 people so closure is a potential option, but we do have an interested party for the power station where 120 people are employed.”

The power station burns coal to provide electricity to the smelter, so any new operator would have to bear the cost of converting it to a more environmentally friendly biomass system.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...bs-under-threat-61634-29612517/#ixzz1b7YieQg3
 
#104 ·
Alnmouth residents in fight to defeat Duke of Northumberland's plans
by Brian Daniel, The Journal, November 1st 2011


PLANS by the Duke of Northumberland’s business arm to demolish a key building in a conservation area and replace it with holiday apartments are facing opposition.

The Northumberland Estates’ proposal for Alnmouth Boys’ Club, built in the 1930s, is being fought by parish councillors and two residents.

They say the site would be better developed as affordable housing, while concerns have also been voiced by Northumberland County Council’s conservation officer over the loss of the building.

Yet county councillors are being recommended to approve the application at a meeting this week.

The boys’ club, within Alnmouth Conservation Area and the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is also known as Alnmouth Holiday Centre. It is situated on Foxton Road.

The building is currently occupied on a short-term commercial lease by the Youth Training Trust, which offers residential and day training opportunities and a base for adventure activities.

The estates’ application seeks permission to demolish the boys’ club and build in its place 10 holiday apartments with a 15-space car park.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...berland-s-plans-61634-29694691/#ixzz1cRe6eBKV
 
#105 ·
Approval expected for Ellington and Lynemouth colliery homes plans
by David Black, The Journal, November 7th 2011


MULTI-MILLION pound plans to help regenerate two former pit villages in Northumberland – including building hundreds of homes – are set to be given approval next week.

Ellington and Lynemouth will get 500 new houses between them, increased employment opportunities and new shopping, sports and play facilities under the ambitious plans drawn up by Britain’s biggest mining company.

Under the plans Ellington will get another 300 homes, new shopping facilities – including a supermarket and smaller units – 20,000 sq ft of office space and eight units where people can both live and work.

Office accommodation and live/work units aim to create new jobs in the village by encouraging small businesses and enterprises to start-up and grow. The scheme also includes a full-size football pitch and new children’s play facilities.

The plans at Lynemouth detail 200 houses, provide 20,000sqft of employment-creating industrial units and six acres of open storage and build five live/work units.


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Rio Tinto Alcan to close Lynemouth smelter
By Colin George, The Journal, November 16th 2011



NORTHUMBERLAND'S biggest private sector employer, Rio Tinto Alcan, has announced it is to close the Lynemouth aluminium smelter with the loss of more than 500 jobs. The firm will now conduct a 90-day consultation process with staff and union representatives.

There are also fears over a further 100 jobs as the company also revealed it is in discussions regarding the potential sale of the power station at the site.

The Lynemouth smelter opened in 1972 and employs 515 people. An additional 111 are employed at the power station. A statement from the firm said all affected workers will receive support, including re-training and job-search assistance, in order to mitigate the impact of any closure.

Rio Tinto Alcan chief executive Jacynthe C¤t› said: This decision follows a thorough strategic review which explored every possible option for continuing to operate the smelter and power station, however, it is clear the smelter is no longer a sustainable business because its energy costs are increasing significantly, due largely to emerging legislation.

We are hopeful that the power station can remain in operation under new ownership.

For 40 years, the Lynemouth smelter and power station have been important parts of the community and we will work with our employees and other key stakeholders to ensure that the social and environmental consequences of todays announcement are managed in the most sensitive way.


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