There are no planning applications directly concerning the wards of South Beach and South Newsham at next Tuesday’s DCP

There will be a special meeting of the full council to consider the electoral review of Northumberland.

My own view is that there should be 20 councillors covering the area now under Blyth Valley , and the boundaries of the 20 wards should be the same as those we have in BVBC. That way there will be less confusion, especially in this area where the boundaries are different under the two councils.

 More to follow….. but if you have a view contact us through the usual channels

My council papers arrived today, (no doubt delayed by the industrial action)

There are no planning applications for South Newsham or South Beach wards.

I noticed this on the website of Councillor Stuart Bray (a Lib Dem councillor in Leicestershire). I quote :-

 Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all.

He went on to say , “Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications.

“This gives phone companies an advantage which is not enjoyed by other individuals and businesses applying for planning permission. Our amendment would have made the system fairer.

“I was very disappointed however to see that the Conservatives did not bother to vote for this change. They simply sat on their hands, despite telling everyone at the general election that they support this policy.

“As a result, [we] will continue to find it hard to battle against inappropriate phone masts.”

Well said Stuart, it reflects my views nicely

If you live in the area, you can’t have failed to notice the building work at South Beach shops.

The owners have received planning permission to extend upwards to include flats and to knock the shops into one.

Unfortunately they did not receive permission to completely knock the shops down and rebuild. BVBC planning officers are aware of what happened, and are investigating. I’ll keep you informed of developments…. (excuse the pun!)

Since I posted my views on ‘phone masts last night I have received e-mails of support from residents and from councillors elsewhere about this. This has been the most reaction I have had from any post.

It shows that this site is viewed all over , not just in South Newsham ward.

To all of you, thank you, and to the Lib Dem councillor from “down south” (*)  thanks for your ideas, I will discuss your suggestions with our planning officers

(*) His words, not mine!

At tonight’s meeting of the Development Control Panel there was yet another applicaation for a mobile phone mast, this time on the roadside between houses and the Brockwell Centre in Cramlington. It’s not in my ward but the principles are the same wherever.

The application was only for “siting and design”, not a planning application as such.

Understandably local residents had concerns about this application, mostly about the possible health problems that come with these masts. I say possible health hazards as we don’t really know what to think as there is so much conflicting information (and mis-information?)

But we could not even debate these as under the law (Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development ) Order 1995) phone masts under 15 metre are permitted developments.

Luckily the recommendation was to refuse under the siting part of the act, but as I said in moving the recommendation to refuse , “I feel the same frustration as the residents in that we cannot take possible health matters into account in these applications”.

 We are there representing the people of Blyth Valley and looking at these matters in their best interests. And yet the law does not let us do that, it gives more or less automatic approval to these masts.

The application WAS refused, but the moment was spoiled by one Labour councillor saying that the (opposition) councillors who spoke against the mast were playing to the gallery. And that is rich coming from that councillor!!

There are no planning applications from South Newsham or South Beach wards on next week’s DCP agenda.

There is one application that concerns us all; I’ll post more after the meeting as I don’t want to prejudice my chance to comment at the meeting.