The North Planning Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to convene on Thursday, 20 August 2026, to consider a range of planning applications and related matters. The agenda included the determination of planning applications, with a specific application for the demolition of existing buildings and the redevelopment of a former school site for new dwellings scheduled for discussion. The committee was also scheduled to receive an update report on Section 106 agreements.

Determination of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to decide on planning applications using the powers delegated to it. The report pack indicated that printed letters of objection or support for these applications would no longer be circulated with the agenda but would be available on the Council's website.

Redevelopment of Former St Mary's C of E Middle School, Belford

A significant item on the agenda was the application for the demolition of existing buildings and the redevelopment of the former St Mary's C of E Middle School site at Williams Way, Belford, Northumberland, NE70 7NX. The proposal, application number 25/01298/FUL, sought to construct 23 new dwelling-houses.

The report detailed that the application site comprised the former school buildings, caretaker's house, hardstanding areas, tennis courts, and landscaped grounds. The school had closed on 31 August 2018, and the buildings had subsequently been used for storage and offices before becoming vacant in June 2023. The application specifically related to the former developed area of the school site, with the former playing field understood to be in separate ownership.

Consultee responses indicated no objection from Highways, Natural England, the County Ecologist, or the Lead Local Flood Authority, subject to various conditions and contributions. However, Belford & Middleton Parish Council raised objections concerning the risk of flooding and vehicle access to the rear of Belford Primary School, requesting a principal residence restriction in perpetuity if permission were granted. The NHS North East & Cumbria ICB requested a contribution of £16,500.00 towards healthcare.

The report outlined a recommendation to grant permission subject to a legal agreement securing principal occupation, and contributions towards play and open space (£38,846.53), coastal mitigation (£14,145.00), healthcare (£16,500.00), and a Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fee (£1,248.00). Numerous conditions were proposed, covering aspects such as the commencement of development, adherence to approved plans, biodiversity net gain, landscape and ecological management, bat protection, general biodiversity measures, implementation of parking and highway works, management of estate streets, cycle parking, electric vehicle charging points, refuse management, demolition and construction methods, surface water disposal during construction, sustainable drainage systems, and broadband connections.

S106 Report

The committee was also scheduled to receive an S106 Update Report for Members' information. This report was intended to detail the agreement, monitoring, and collection of Section 106 contributions within the planning process, covering agreements made throughout Northumberland during the previous month. The report listed new legal agreements completed in June 2026, including contributions towards coastal mitigation, biodiversity net gain, and principal occupancy requirements for various sites across the county.

The next meeting of the North Planning Committee was scheduled for Thursday, 17 September 2026.