Green light for 480 new homes in coastal town
HUNDREDS of new homes look set to be built in a popular Northumberland coastal town after plans were recommended for approval.
The proposals submitted by Cramlington-based developer Tantallon Homes will be considered by members of Northumberland County Council’s Strategic Planning Committee next Tuesday.
A report prepared by council planners recommends that the 480-home development, off Acklington Road in Amble, is given the green light.
Despite the size of the application, only 16 objections have been received by the county council.
The objections raised concerns over congestion and highways safety along Acklington Road and potential safety concerns with the nearby James Calvert Spence College.
There were some issues raised by statutory consultees.
Concerns over highways, which were also raised by Amble Town Council, are expected to be dealt with via updated responses to the highways development manager prior to the meeting.
A similar response is also expected to be given to concerns raised by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) following concern over a “lack of detail” on plans for a pumped drainage system.
The development was granted outline planning permission in March 2022. The site will consist of eight one-bedroom homes, 70 two-bedroom homes, 186 three-beds, 167 four-bedrooms and 49 five-bedroom homes in a mix of semi-detached, terraced and detached properties.
Of these, 72 will be designated as affordable homes, including four of the four-bedroom properties.
This equates to 15% as allocated in the Northumberland Local Plan.
Some 67% of the affordable homes will be for rent, while 33% will be for affordable home ownership via shared ownership and discounted market value. The plans also include substantial Section 106 agreements to improve local health and education infrastructure, as well as a £295,200 contribution to the council’s coastal mitigation service.
Local ward councillor Jeff Watson said: “It has outline planning permission, so we can’t argue against it happening – but I will be there to make sure there is as much as possible for Amble. Seventy-two affordable homes is really good and the housing mix is excellent.
“You can argue Amble has got enough new housing – people want to preserve their small towns and villages, but at the same time, they want their kids to have a home locally.
“I had some reservations about the application when it first went to planning, but now it has outline permission it is about making it as good as possible for Amble.”