The Strategic Planning Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, to consider planning applications. The primary focus of the meeting was the determination of a significant outline planning application for a large-scale employment, research, battery storage, and training centre, along with ancillary facilities, at West Hartford Business Park.

Determination of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider and decide upon planning applications that had been delegated to it. The report pack indicated that these decisions would be made in accordance with the powers delegated to the committee.

Outline Permission for West Hartford Business Park

A key item on the agenda was the consideration of an outline planning application for land North West Of West Hartford Fire Station, West Hartford Business Park, West Hartford, Cramlington. The application sought permission for a comprehensive development including:

• Employment, research, battery storage, and training centre use: Designated under use classes B2, B8, E(g), and sui generis.
• Petrol station: A sui generis use.
• Ancillary retail: Use class E(a).
• Coffee shop/drive-thru: Use classes E(b) and sui generis.
• Gym: Use class E(d).
• Associated ground-mounted solar PV: A sui generis use.

The report pack detailed that this application was considered a major development of significant scale. The applicant, Haylofts S, had submitted extensive documentation, including an illustrative masterplan, design code, and various technical surveys covering ecology, flood risk, heritage, and transport. The report highlighted that the principle of development was considered acceptable, aligning with the site's allocation as a Prestige Employment Area within the Northumberland Local Plan.

The report pack indicated that the recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to the submission of an Impact Assessment and Conservation Payment Certificate from Natural England, and the completion of a Section 106 agreement. This agreement would secure obligations related to biodiversity net gain, off-site bird mitigation, bus service improvements, and contributions towards traffic signal works for a proposed Pegasus Crossing on the Blyth Relief Road.

Numerous conditions were proposed to manage various aspects of the development, including detailed landscaping, material specifications, archaeological work, and measures to address land contamination and stability due to historic mining activity. Conditions also covered noise, dust, lighting, and the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Specific conditions were also outlined to manage the scale and function of ancillary uses, such as retail and drive-thru facilities, to ensure they remained subordinate to the main employment uses and did not negatively impact town centres.

The report also detailed extensive consultation responses from various bodies, including the County Ecologist, Highways Authority, Lead Local Flood Authority, County Archaeologist, Public Health, and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Neighbouring properties had also been notified, with a summary of objections, support, and general comments provided.

The report also outlined the planning policy framework, including the Northumberland Local Plan and the Cramlington Neighbourhood Plan, against which the application was assessed. Key considerations included the principle of development, design and landscape impact, heritage impact, health impact, highways, flood risk, ecology, and land stability. The report concluded that while there would be less than substantial harm to certain heritage assets, this was outweighed by the significant public benefits of the development, including job creation and economic growth.