THE chairman of the Northumberland National Park has been told he cannot upgrade “heritage assets” on his 19th-Century farm.
John Riddle may now take his own county council to appeal over its refusal of permission to convert four old outbuildings at Blakelaw Farm, Bellingham, to modern housing.
Coun Riddle has represented Bellingham on Northumberland County Council for 23 years and the 1,100-acre farm close to the edge of the National Park has been in his family for four generations.
With two sons, he and wife Zaina want to increase their housing – but the traditional farm buildings they aim to convert are classed as heritage assets and planning officers say they cannot be altered as they wish.
The area west planning committee this week ruled the plans out of bounds, Coun Bill Garrett saying: “The bottom line is that the application is out with nine of 10 policies.”
Coun Garrett said to grant permission “would be shooting ourselves in the foot and opening the floodgates for others”.
Coun Colin Horncastle added: “The applicant is a fellow councillor and if we were to grant permission for this as it stands, we would be going against all we have stood for in this chamber.
“Everybody knows that we never allow extensions to farm buildings. We have policies – and the reason we have to stick with these policies is consistency.”
Coun Riddle, who also chairs the National Association of National Parks, responded: “Obviously I’m very disappointed that they thought that way.
“I don’t believe that it’s different to what hundreds of other farms have been allowed to do in Northumberland. Personally, I believe that because I’m a councillor, they are being ultra-careful.
“But we will probably go to appeal, and probably put in a parallel application.”
Bellingham Parish Council has supported the Blakelaw Farm plans and none of the statutory consultees – including Northumberland National Park – have raised any objection.
Coun Riddle says he will consult his architect and may consider a suggestion an extension to the pole barn be shelved.
“I will speak to the architect and work with the planners and see if we can’t get somewhere,” he said.
Coun Riddle’s planning agent, Keith Butler, said: “The proposals do not involve the loss of any significant historic asset. Hundreds of farmers in Northumberland have carried out similar work, and there would be no precedent set at Blakelaw.”
