AN £8m, 100-job retail development on a conservation area site has been given the go-ahead despite protests from heritage watchdogs.
The goods yard at Hexham railway station will become a new business hub for the town with large national chains such as Homebase DIY moving in.
Councillors on the county’s west area planning committee gave unanimous conservation area consent, listed building consent and planning permission after a fierce debate.
But while it will bring a much-needed business boost to the town, Hexham Civic Society said it was “very disappointed” at the decision – and accused the county council of allowing a “very low quality threshold” for Hexham.
HCS chair Roger Higgins said: “We concede we have lost the battle, but we are disappointed with Northumberland County Council’s low aspirations for the site.
“As far as we can see, Hexham has been sold very cheaply – there is a very low quality threshold.” The Civic Society has branded the proposals “retro-fitted, generic and poorly-designed”, failing to match Hexham’s unique setting.
Hexham Town Council supported the Civic Society in its objections.
Members had particular concern over the proposed demolition of the old stables building and signalman’s bothy plus the affect on other buildings described as non-designated heritage assets, including the Prosser engine shed.
However, planning officers recommended Rokeby Developments’ proposals as “a unique and important opportunity to secure significant employment opportunities” as well as inward investment on an important central site which includes the Grade II-listed station. Hexham town and county councillor Derek Kennedy welcomed the decision, saying: “I think we have got to recognise the economic conditions at the moment.
“Sometimes we have got to take a prudent decision – this will fill a gap in the market and it is close to the town centre.
“There are no other plans for this site and Rokeby said that if there were any changes now, it could be a deal-breaker.”
Conditions on lighting and use of materials have been imposed and Mr Higgins said the Civic Society would keep a close watch on the progress of the development. The Civic Society is now considering putting the stables building forward to English Heritage for listing, which could add another hurdle to the application.
And Mr Higgins added: “I am going to be writing to Northumberland County Council to say that things like footpath access, for which we should not have had to fight tooth and nail, are fundamental design aspects that should have been taken care of from the beginning.
“The next thing is to ensure promises made by the developers on landscaping and use of materials are as good as can be achieved, and that the lighting scheme is sympathetic, especially to the cottages nearby.”
