Plans for Northumberland home approved despite pleas to reject over road safety worries
Councillors defied officers recommendations and approved the construction of new home in Riding Mill.
Northumberland councillors granted approval for a new house in Riding Mill despite officers’ pleas to reject it on highway safety grounds among other concerns.
Northumberland County Council planning committee approved plans for the construction of a three-bedroom two storey home on land to the North of the Old Tavern House in Riding Mill. The plans were approved, following a delay last month for a site visit, by a majority vote.
The local authority’s highways team raised concerns regarding the application’s impact on highway safety. According to council officers the layout of the proposals would lead to dangerous car movements, including reversing onto the A695.
Speaking to the committee, resident Anne Jones said: “We place the highest value on human life. Today you have the opportunity to prevent future road traffic accidents causing injuries and possibly fatalities to local people. We strongly urge you to vote to reject this application, in doing so you would also be following the recommendations of your planning and highways officials.”
Speaking for the application, professor Amer Halabi, chairman and MD of iTransport Planning (iPRT Group) said: “We really designed the site to make sure it is safe. I appreciate what was said before and I appreciate what highways are saying.”
Prof Halabi continued: “Vehicles can reverse within the site and exit the site in a forward gear. This was based on the largest possible car in line with the requirement of the county council, this is a 5.1m car.”
Council officers also raised objections on the basis that the plans were out of character for the area. Following a debate on the application, committee member coun Nicholas Oliver moved to grant the application. The plans were approved by a majority decision of five votes to three.