PLANS to redevelop “heritage asset” buildings on the Northumberland National Park Authority chairman’s 1,100-acre farm have been put on hold.
Revised planning details were not put before the county’s Historic Buildings Adviser when he said that Coun John Riddle should not be able to convert a number of old farm buildings into homes.
Now the council’s area west planning committee has deferred a decision on the planning application – and will make a site visit to Blakelaw Farm before meeting again to discuss the plans next month.
Coun Riddle, who is also chairman of the National Association of National Parks, has represented Bellingham on Northumberland County Council for 23 years.
His family has farmed there for four generations – and the farm buildings date back to the mid-19th Century, although improvements have been carried out in more recent times.
Historic features of buildings at the farm, on the Pennine Way and the edge of Northumberland National Park, include original ventilation slits and first-floor pitching doors.
But the Historic Buildings Advisor’s verdict was based on an original planning application and not the revised submission, councillors have been told.
Coun Riddle’s agent, Keith Butler, said there were “inaccuracies” in the planning officer’s report as a result.
Mr Butler told the committee: “The proposed extensions do not harm the existing character of the buildings – they would enhance the buildings. The Historic Building’s Officer’s comments are out of date.”
Haydon and Hadrian councillor Coun Alan Sharp immediately voiced his concerns, saying: “Has the Historic Buildings Adviser been asked to comment on the revised plans – and if not, why not?”
And Coun Bill Garrett, the member for Prudhoe East, said: “We cannot take a decision because we have not got the information that is relevant.
“I propose that we defer this application for a site visit, and to prepare the paperwork before the site visit.”
It was agreed to conduct the site visit to assess any environmental impact and possible harm to the character of the farm buildings.
