The West Planning Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to consider a planning application for a new two-storey house with undercroft parking in Riding Mill, and receive an update on Section 106 agreements. The meeting's agenda also included the determination of planning applications and a review of the minutes from a previous meeting.

Determination of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider planning applications, with a specific focus on a new build two-storey house with undercroft parking at Land North of Old Tavern House, Riding Mill, Northumberland, NE44 6DX. The report pack indicated that the recommendation for this application was to refuse permission.

The report detailed the proposed dwelling, a two-storey house with undercroft parking, noting its prominent location adjacent to a Grade II listed road bridge over the railway. Concerns were raised regarding the design, scale, and proportions of the proposed building, with the report suggesting it would be out of keeping with the character of the wider street scene and potentially harm the setting of the listed bridge. Issues of insufficient amenity space for future occupiers and highway safety concerns were also highlighted, with the Highway Development Management team objecting due to restricted parking and access arrangements. The report also noted that while the site was within Flood Zone 1 and the Coal Advice Area, and that the County Ecologist raised no objection subject to conditions, the primary reasons for the refusal recommendation were design, amenity, and highway safety.

Section 106 Agreements Update Report

An update report was scheduled to be presented regarding the monitoring and collection of Section 106 contributions in the planning process. This report covered agreements made throughout Northumberland during February 2026. The report listed new legal agreements completed, detailing planning reference numbers, site addresses, and the types and amounts of expected contributions. These contributions included those for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) monitoring fees, affordable housing, coastal mitigation, education, healthcare, highways, and open space. The report also detailed awards paid from Section 106 funds, including grants for playing field improvements at Blanchland Village Hall and contributions towards expansion at Alnwick Medical Group.

The meeting was also scheduled to confirm the minutes from the West Planning Committee meeting held on 9 December 2025.