Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the North Planning Committee meeting. The agenda included a discussion of planning applications, and a report on Section 106 agreements¹.

Former Dukes Middle School, Alnwick

The committee was scheduled to discuss two applications relating to the former Dukes Middle School in Alnwick.

Application 24/03628/FUL concerns a request for full planning permission for the demolition and redevelopment of modern extensions and outbuildings. The plan includes converting the former school into 13 residential apartments, building 46 residential dwellings, creating a landscaped open area, and completing all ancillary works, including car parking, access, and drainage.

The planning officer's report noted that the application had been called in by the local member, and had received an objection from the town council, as well as objections from a number of neighbours.

The planning officer's report recommended that permission be granted, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing, biodiversity net gain, and financial contributions to coastal mitigation, education, healthcare, and open space.

The report noted that Alnwick and Denwick Neighbourhood Plan (ADNP) Policy ENV3 designates the southern section of the former Duke's School playing field as Local Green Space. The report stated that such a designation would typically mean that development would not be in accordance with the development plan, unless very special circumstances could be demonstrated. The report stated that the following could be considered very special circumstances:

• Development of the scheme to allow the long term usage of the former Dukes School buildings for residential use, whilst minimising the level of harm to the setting of these.
• The existing playing field has been replaced with new playing fields at Duchess High School, which was expanded to accommodate pupils from the former middle school.
• The opportunity to provide a mixed housing development within the built up area of Alnwick, meeting a range of housing needs and a range of affordable housing tenures.
• The development of the proposal as an holistically master planned scheme on this site.
• An opportunity for approximately ⅓ of the site to become informal open space.

The report also noted that Sport England had raised an objection to the application, on the basis of the loss of the playing field.

The report stated that the applicant intended to claim a Vacant Building Credit (VBC)² discount on the affordable housing requirement in relation to the conversion of the former school building, and intended to provide only 5 affordable homes.

The report stated that the NHS North East & Cumbria ICB had requested a single payment of £41,100 from the developer, to be paid on completion of the first dwelling, towards healthcare infrastructure.

Application 24/03629/LBC seeks listed building consent for the same work. The planning officer's report recommended that consent be granted subject to conditions.

Section 106 Agreements Update

The committee was scheduled to review a report from Elizabeth Sinnamon, Head of Planning, Place and Regeneration, regarding the agreement, monitoring, and collection of Section 106 contributions³ in the planning process during July and August 2025. The report listed new agreements completed and added to Execom⁴, as well as awards paid.

New agreements included:

• Land adjoining Southmead, Southmead, Amble
• Land southwest of North Moor, 36 Station Road, Stannington
• Land at Cramlington Learning Village, Highburn, Cramlington
• Land South of 15-47 Stakeford Crescent, Stakeford
• Land at Lamberts Lee Farm, Newton-by-the Sea, Alnwick
• Northeast Of Rock South Farm Cottages, Alnwick
• Land at Former Link House Farm, Links Road, Blyth
• Land to West of Brockdam Farm Cottages, Ellington
• Land at Richard Stannard House, Bridge Street, Blyth
• Land northwest of 12 Christon Bank Village, Christon Bank
• Land at Butterwell Disposal Point, Longhirst
• Land at Link House Farm, Newton by the Sea, Alnwick (Habitat Bank)
• Land at 36 Northumberland Road, Tweedmouth, TD15 2AS
• Land at Plot 4 Castle Hills Farm Berwick upon Tweed
• Land adjacent to Gardeners Cottage, Swinhoe Farm, Belford
• Marley Tile Factory, Lead Lane, Newlands, Consett
• Plot 7, Phase 2, Ash Close, Lionheart Enterprise Park, Alnwick
• Land South West of Keele Drive, Kielder Avenue, Cramlington
• Land at Lindisfarne View, Berwick Holiday Centre, Berwick-Upon Tweed
• Land at Former Coach House, North of Brotherwick House, Warkworth
• Land East of Cragg Cottage, Cheviot Street, Wooler
• Land at Matfen Hall, Matfen, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE20 0RH
• Land North of North Farm, Warenford
• Land east of 18 High Buston
• Land north of St George's Hospital, Morpeth
• land at 5 Maltings Lane, Tweedmouth, Berwick upon Tweed

Awards Paid:

• Humshaugh children's playing field Trust: Storage container, £7278.00
• Hexham Priory School: Playzone, £22646.56
• Blyth Cricket & Rugby: refurbishment of the changing rooms, £12,100.00