The Strategic Planning Committee convened to discuss and decide on four planning applications, including a renewable energy scheme, a learning village complex, a cinema with ancillary leisure space, and an energy central campus institute. The committee approved all four applications, each with specific conditions and considerations.

Planning Applications

The committee addressed four planning applications, each requiring careful consideration of various factors and potential impacts.

Renewable Energy Scheme at Whittonstall

The committee approved the construction and operation of a renewable energy scheme at Whittonstall in Consett. The project includes ground-mounted photovoltaics, battery storage, and associated infrastructure.

Key aspects of the approval:

• The scheme has a generation capacity of 43.5MW.
• The development is for a temporary period only, expiring 41 years after the first export date of the development.
• A Section 106 agreement is required to secure ecological monitoring and off-site woodland management.

The committee considered the benefits of renewable energy generation against the landscape and visual harm, concluding that the benefits outweighed the harm.

Cramlington Learning Village Redevelopment

The committee approved the demolition of nine existing buildings at Cramlington Learning Village and the construction of a new learning village complex. The project includes associated access, parking, landscape works, and PV canopies.

Key aspects of the approval:

• A new three-storey admin and teaching block will be constructed.
• The project includes temporary planning permission for contractor access.
• A Section 106 agreement is required to secure on-site biodiversity net gain enhancements and a monitoring fee.

Cinema and Leisure Space in Ashington

The committee approved the erection of a cinema with ancillary leisure space and two restaurant units in Ashington, including associated landscaping, parking, and access.

Key aspects of the approval:

• The development is located on land to the east of Lintonville Terrace in Portland Park.
• A unilateral undertaking is required to secure coastal mitigation contributions of £288 per unit of accommodation within the proposed hotel.

Blyth Energy Central Campus Institute

The committee approved full planning permission for demolition and construction in a conservation area for the Blyth Energy Central Campus Institute ('Blyth ECCI') alongside demolition of 1, 3-5, 7-9 Bridge Street and 2, 4, 6, 8 Regent Street.

Key aspects of the approval:

• The development is located at Keel Row, Union Street, Blyth.
• The committee recognised that the demolition of locally listed buildings would cause less than substantial harm to the conservation area, but this was outweighed by the benefits of redeveloping the area.

Other Business

The committee also agreed on the minutes of the previous meetings held on Tuesday 4 March 2025 and Tuesday 18 March 2025.