Northumberland Local Plan Core Strategy

Strategic Land Review – West Northumberland Delivery Area

June 2016 Strategic Land Review

West Northumberland Delivery Area

1 Introduction

1.1 The West Northumberland Delivery Area straddles the southern part of the Northumberland National Park. It includes the Kielder area to the north west of the National Park, the North Tyne Valley, the South Tyne Valley and parts of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and the North Pennines AONB. The delivery area includes the Main Town of Haltwhistle and the Service Centres of Haydon Bridge, Allendale and Bellingham. The small areas which cover these settlements, and the Rest of the West Northumberland Delivery Area is shown below.

Figure 1: West Northumberland Delivery Area

1.2 The distribution of housing across the Delivery Area was been informed by a number of factors including the overall strategic objectives of the plan, the level of housing currently in an area, and the size of the current population and the projected scale of population change without policy intervention and the characteristics of this change.

1.3 As the Main Town of the Delivery Area, the greatest amount of housing is proposed for Haltwhistle; significantly more than its population may suggest may be proportionate. Very little population growth is projected over the plan period, while the proportion of working age people in the town is projected to decrease markedly. Additional growth will assist in reversing these trends.

1.4 Bellingham is also projected to see minimal population growth and a significant decline in the size of the working age population. To address these issues, a greater proportion of housing is proposed in this location. While the population is projected to increase in Allendale and Haydon Bridge, the proportion of people of working age is projected to decline significantly. The population sizes of the two areas may suggest that a larger proportion of development should be allocated to Allendale than proposed, and less to Haydon Bridge. However, given the rural nature of much of the Allendale area, characterised by small villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings, it is considered appropriate to allocate a larger proportion to the larger settlement of Haydon Bridge which benefits from better transportation and communication links.

1.5 Over 40% of the population live in the ‘Rest of West Delivery Area’. The proportion of development allocated to this area is less however, reflecting the spatial strategy to focus development in the Main Towns and Service Centres. A significant amount of development in this area is however proposed to assist in arresting the projected loss of population, particularly the working age population which is projected to decline by more than one third over the plan period.

Figure 2: Distribution of population, dwellings and the number of dwellings proposed in the Northumberland Core Strategy.

Projected Projected change in No of No or popn change working age popn dwellings Population % dwellings % 2011-31 2011-31 (SNPP 2012) proposed %

Haltwhistle 3791 18.7% 1842 18.8% 0.8% -19.7% 400 29.6% Allendale 2021 10.0% 1039 10.6% 100 7.4% 6.3% -17.7% Haydon Bridge 2184 10.8% 1011 10.3% 200 14.8%

Bellingham 3419 16.9% 1665 17.0% 0.3% -23.1% 280 20.7%

Rest of West 8,813 43.6% 4,227 43.2% -5.1% -33.5% 370 27.4% West Delivery Area 20,228 9,784 1350

2 Haltwhistle

Introduction

2.1 Haltwhistle is a Main Town and largest settlement in the West Northumberland Delivery Area and is located in the South Tyne Valley. The small area is comprised of the parish of Haltwhistle.

Figure 3: Haltwhistle small area

Role and function

2.2 Haltwhistle is a hub for housing, employment, retailing and other services, and is one of the key gateways to Hadrian's Wall. It has key links with Hexham.

2.3 The role of Haltwhistle as a Main Town is exemplified by the range of services and facilities it offers. While Haltwhistle is served by Haydon Bridge High School, Haltwhistle contains a middle school, Haltwhistle Memorial Hospital, a leisure centre, 3,580 square metres of central retail floorspace and approximately 14.9 hectares of developed employment land. Cultural facilities include a library. Haltwhistle benefits from ambulance and fire stations. The middle schools catchment area extends north of Melkridge and south of the River South Tyne and borders Cumbria to the east.

Demographic, economic and housing profile

Population Profile

2.4 The 2011 Census recorded that there were 3,791 usual residents in the Haltwhistle area; a decrease of 20 people since 2001.

2.5 Over this period the proportion of the population of core working age (16- 64 years) decreased slightly from 61.5% to 61.4%, while the proportion aged over 65 increased from 19.8% to 22.1%.

Figure 4: Haltwhistle demographic profile People aged 75 and Population 0 - 4 5 - 15 16 - 24 25 - 44 45 - 64 65 - 74 over

2001 3,811 5.7% 13.0% 9.3% 25.8% 26.4% 9.6% 10.2% 2011 3,791 4.9% 11.5% 8.9% 22.3% 30.2% 11.5% 10.6%

2.6 In 2011, the Haltwhistle area had a smaller proportion of its population of working age than the County as a whole, and a larger proportion aged over 65 years.

Population Projection

2.7 When applied at the local level, the 2012 based Sub-national Population Projections indicate that the population of Haltwhistle will increase slightly by 0.8% between 2011 and 2031. Over this period, the number of people of core working age is projected to decrease significantly by 19.7%. In contrast, the population aged over 65 years is projected to increase markedly, with a 93.9% increase in those aged over 75.

Figure 5: Haltwhistle population projection

Projected population change 2011- 2031 Age Group Population Population Change Population Change as 2011 2031 a % 0-15 619 492 -127 -20.5%

16-59 (female)/ 64 (male) 2,184 1,754 -430 -19.7% 60/65-74 580 784 204 35.2% 75+ 408 791 383 93.9% Total 3,791 3,821 30 0.8%

Housing Profile

2.8 In 2011, 88.0% of properties in the Haltwhistle area were in Council Tax Bands

A to C, with 63.1% of these in Band A.

2.9 The 2011 Census recorded 1,842 household spaces in Haltwhistle, an increase of 112 since 2001. Of these household spaces, 91, or 4.9% had no residents. In 2011, 63.2% of households were living in owner occupied properties, 20.6% in social rented housing and 16.2% in the private rented sector.

2.10 In 2011, 14.7% of households occupied properties with four or more bedrooms, 37.5% of homes had fewer than three bedrooms and 47.8% have three bedrooms.

2.11 In comparison to Northumberland as a whole, Haltwhistle contains a larger proportion of low value properties, and fewer high value properties. The area is characterised by having a slightly lower level of owner occupiers, and more households living in social rented properties.

Economic activity

2.12 Amongst the population aged 16 to 74, 63.2% are in employment, 3.8% unemployed, and 18.9% retired.

2.13 The proportion of people in employment and in retirement is higher in Haltwhistle than Northumberland as a whole; however the unemployment rate is lower.

Constraints analysis

2.14 Growth in Haltwhistle is constrained by the River Tyne, the A69 and the Tyne Valley Railway to the south. Much of the land to the north of Haltwhistle is constrained by its steep topography, while the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and its buffer zone lie to the north of the town.

Figure 6: Haltwhistle

Highways and connectivity

2.15 Haltwhistle is well connected to the strategic road network, being located on the A69; connecting the town to Carlisle to the west and Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Corbridge and the Tyneside conurbation to the east, (the road bypasses the town to its south). The B6322 provides access to the A69 at two junctions located to the south west and south east of Haltwhistle.

2.16 Narrow roads located at the northern side of Haltwhistle provide a constraint to development in this area.

2.17 Haltwhistle is served by bus services that link Carlisle and Newcastle via Hexham. In addition, Haltwhistle is accessible via train. A train station is located to the south of the settlement on the north side of the river providing access to Newcastle and Carlisle.

Flood Risk

2.18 While much of the town is not identified as at risk from fluvial flooding, a significant area at Bellister Haugh to the south of Haltwhistle is in Flood Zone 3; as are areas aligned with the River South Tyne, Tipal Burn to the southwest

and Haltwhistle Burn to the northeast. A significant area to the south of the railway line incorporates Hadrian Enterprise Park, and is in Flood Zone 2.

Figure 7: Haltwhistle Environment Agency Flood Risk

2.19 The SFRA identifies that a large proportion of the open area along the South Tyne to the south of the town’s built-up areas lie within the functional flood plain, in Flood Zone 3b, while an area of the A69, adjacent to Bellister Haugh, is in Flood Zone 3a; as is an area aligned with Haltwhistle Burn, north of Castle Hill.

Figure 8: Haltwhistle Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Water and sewerage capacity

2.20 The detailed WCS identifies that there are no capacity constraints associated with water resources from Kielder WRZ, but that there are capacity constraints associated with Haltwhistle WwTW, where Northumbrian Water are monitoring flows at the works to assess the impact of a surface water removal project.

2.21 The WCS also identifies that the sewer network to the west of Haltwhistle has a historic record of sewer flooding.

Natural Environment Designations

2.22 While the town of Haltwhistle does not contain any natural environment designations, Pains Dale to the west of the village and Herdinghill Wood to the north have both been identified as ancient semi-natural woodland. South of Haltwhistle, a designated SSSI aligned with the River South Tyne and adjacent to Bellister Wood is also a Special Area of Conservation.

Figure 9: Haltwhistle natural environment designations

Built Heritage Designations

2.23 Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site, extends to the north of Haltwhistle, meaning much of the area north of Haltwhistle is a World Heritage Site Buffer Zone. Aligned with Haltwhistle Burn, a conservation area extends from north of Haltwhistle to the B6322, where it incorporates much of the town centre, extending southwest to Haltwhistle Bridge and west to the start of Comb Hill Road. There are numerous listed buildings clustered in the village centre, while Haltwhistle Tyne Bridge and Alston Arches Viaduct are also listed. Bellister Castle, to the south of Haltwhistle, is a scheduled monument (SM).

Figure 10: Haltwhistle built heritage designations

Archaeological Sensitivity

2.24 The extensive urban survey identifies that much of Haltwhistle town centre, around Main Street, is of high archaeological sensitivity, while areas aligned with Haltwhistle Burn are of medium archaeological sensitivity. To the north of Haltwhistle, Roman Camps associated with Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site, have been identified as scheduled monuments.

Figure 11: Haltwhistle Archaeological Sensitivity

Open Space

2.25 Haltwhistle contains a significant area of open space, with natural and semi- natural green space extending from Eden’s lawn to Haltwhistle Burn, adjacent to the B6322, southeast of the town. Further natural and semi-natural green space, incorporating a playing field, is located northeast of Haltwhistle, aligned with Haltwhistle Burn and in the vicinity of Willia Road. The playing field south of Hadrian Enterprise Park, Haltwhistle Bowling Green and tennis courts at Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre are all identified as outdoor sports facilities; as is a large area of land associated with the middle school.

Figure 12: Haltwhistle green infrastructure and open space

Landscape sensitivity

2.26 An area to the south of Haltwhistle has been identified in the Key land Use Impact Study as being of higher landscape sensitivity to development – i.e. where development detached from the settlement would encroach on the valley floor (4). Small pockets of land to the east (2) and west (3) of Haltwhistle are identified as being of lower landscape sensitivity, whilst the openness of hillsides to the north of the settlement (1) should be retained.

Figure 13: Haltwhistle landscape sensitivity

Agricultural Land Classification

2.27 Much of the agricultural land to the south of Haltwhistle is Grade 3, with an additional area of Grade 3 land to the west of the settlement, incorporating Woodhead. The remaining agricultural land in the Haltwhistle area is Grade 4, although there is a small area to the northeast of Haltwhistle identified as Grade 5.

Figure 14: Haltwhistle agricultural land classification

2.28 More detailed analysis has been undertaken across much of the land to the south of Haltwhistle, which identifies in some detail different grades of land. Much of the land between Bellister Road and the River South Tyne, identified above as Grade 3, is in the more detailed assessment as Grade 4; as is an area of land between the A69 and Whitelands Wood. Agricultural land aligned with Tipal Burn, in an area between the A69 and the River South Tyne, is identified as Grade 3a, Grade 3b, Grade 4 or Grade 5, as is the adjacent section of the A69. Southwest of Haltwhistle, a parcel of land between Unthank Road and the River South Tyne is Grade 3a and Grade 3b.

Figure 15: Haltwhistle detailed agricultural land classification

Mineral Resource Areas

2.29 Aligned with the River South Tyne and Tipal Burn, a sand and gravel mineral resource extends across much of the area south of Haltwhistle. Pockets of land throughout Haltwhistle, including Willia Road to the north, Oaky Knowe to the east and Wydon Nabb southwest of Haltwhistle, are underlain with coal mineral resources,

Historic Housing Delivery and Land Take Up

Historic Housing Delivery

2.30 The Haltwhistle small area saw 19 completions over the period 2009-11. Approximately 70 dwellings were completed in Haltwhistle over the period 2004-09, with a significant level of this development at Cross Bank.

Employment Land Take Up

2.31 From 1999 to 2014, 0.83ha of allocated employment land was taken up on one site in Haltwhistle, at Hadrian (E03), while over the same period 0.1ha was lost to other land uses at the same site.

The availability of land for housing and employment

Housing Land Availability

2.32 The capacity of identified sites to accommodate residential development over the plan period across both the Haltwhistle small area and the settlement itself is set out below.

2.33 In addition to the 18 units completed between 2011 and 2015, sites across the small area with a capacity to accommodate an additional 397 dwellings over the plan period are identified. Nearly 100% of capacity is within or adjacent to the town of Haltwhistle.

Figure 16: Housing land availability in the small area and Haltwhistle No of dwellings Small Area Haltwhistle Completions 2011-15 18 17 Deliverable sites 0 – 5 years 96 96 Developable sites 6- 10 years 90 90 Developable sites 11 – 15 years 211 211 Developable sites year 16 0 0 Total 415 414

2.34 Included in the table above, are dwellings forecast to be delivered on sites with planning consent. The Council’s Five Year Supply of Deliverable Sites (2015- 2020) document identifies a remaining capacity of 36 units across two sites currently under construction, and 73 units forecast to be delivered across three sites with extant planning permission.

2.35 Of those units on sites under construction, the Former Greenholme Day Care Centre, Woodhead Lane, Haltwhistle (14/01507/FUL) is expected to deliver 22 units, while Land South of Nursery Gardens Wapping Haltwhistle (20090149) is expected to deliver 14 units. Of the units with extant permission 50 are expected to be delivered on Land north of Newholme Avenue, Willia Road Haltwhistle (13/03921/OUT).

PDL/Greenfield

2.36 The SHLAA identifies that of the 374 dwellings which may be accommodated on deliverable and developable sites over the plan period which are not under construction, approximately 93 dwellings (25%) may be accommodated on 1.4ha of PDL, and 281 (75%) on 19.0ha of greenfield land.

Figure 17: Haltwhistle SHLAA sites

Employment land availability

2.37 The total employment land available in Haltwhistle is 6.344ha. The majority of the land available is located at the Haltwhistle – West of Park Road (E22) site.

Figure 18: Allocated employment land availability in Haltwhistle Ref. Developed No Site Settlement Area (ha) (ha) Available (ha) Haltwhistle - West of Park E22 Road Haltwhistle 4.895 0 4.895 Haltwhistle - Not in a E03 Hadrian Settlement 21.316 11.594 1.449 6.344

Proposed requirements for housing and employment land

2.38 The Pre-submission Core Strategy proposes a housing requirement of 400 dwellings over the plan period.

2.39 The above information indicates that there is sufficient capacity within

Haltwhistle to accommodate this scale of development. Given that 18 units have already been completed between 2011and 2015, the housing requirement for the remainder of the plan period is 382 dwellings.

2.40 The plan proposes the de-allocation of 4.89ha employment land north of the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line at the West of Park Road site (E22), leaving a total employment land allocation of 25.69ha, with 1.37ha of available land.

Conclusion

2.41 The SLR identifies that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the 400 dwellings proposed in the Northumberland Core Strategy.

2.42 This level of development will assist in arresting the decline in the size of the working age population, enable a greater mix of housing, and support Haltwhistle’s role as the only Main Town Centre in the West Delivery Area.

2.43 Key constraints to development are the flood plain to the south, with its higher landscape sensitivity, the barrier posed by the railway and the poor road system constraining larger scale development to the north of the town, along with the buffer zone of the Hadrian’s Wall WHS. The Conservation Area, covering much of the town centre with key buildings and swathes of landscaped open space provides an additional barrier to larger scale buildings within the town’s existing built-up area.

2.44 There are some areas of lower constraint to the west of Haltwhistle, with other opportunities for housing being dispersed around the central and northern areas of the town.

3 Allendale

Introduction

3.1 Allendale Town, located on the eastern bank of the River East Allen, is one of three Service Centres located within the West Northumberland Delivery Area. This is a sub-area of the Allendale and Haydon small area, comprising the Allendale parish area alone. The sub- area includes the settlements of Allenheads, Catton and Sinderhope.

Figure 19: Allendale and Haydon Bridge small area

Role and function 3.2 Allendale is a local housing and Service Centre lying in a valley within the North Pennines AONB – a mostly moorland wilderness area with a history of lead mining. The village is a gateway for visitors to the AONB. The surrounding area is dominated by hill farming with a scattering of tourism related businesses. The village is regarded as lying just within the commuting influence of Tyneside.

3.3 For higher level services and employment opportunities, the village looks north, down the East Allen valley, towards Hexham and Haltwhistle. Secondary age children travel to nearby Haydon Bridge.

3.4 The role of Allendale as a Service Centre is exemplified by the range of services and facilities it offers. Allendale contains a primary school, 1,065

square metres of central retail floorspace and approximately 0.8 hectares of developed employment land. Cultural facilities include a library. Allendale also benefits from a fire station. The catchment area of Allendale Primary School extends from north of Allendale incorporating Catton, to the south past Allenheads where it borders County Durham.

Demographic, economic and housing profile

Population Profile

3.5 The 2011 Census recorded that there were 2021 usual residents in the Allendale area; a decrease of 99 people since 2001.

3.6 Over this period the proportion of the population of core working age (16- 64 years) increased slightly from 60.1% to 62.2%, while the proportion aged over 65 increased from 21.2% to 23.8%.

Figure 20: Allendale demographic profile People aged 75 and Population 0 - 4 5 - 15 16 - 24 25 - 44 45 - 64 65 - 74 over

2001 2120 4.3% 14.2% 7.3% 24.0% 28.9% 11.1% 10.1% 2011 2021 3.2% 10.7% 9.0% 17.5% 35.8% 12.8% 11.0%

3.7 In 2011, the Allendale area had a slightly smaller proportion of its population of working age than the County as a whole, and a significantly larger proportion aged over 65 years.

Population Projection

3.8 When applied at the local level, the 2012 based Sub-national Population Projections indicate that the population of Allendale and Haydon Bridge small area will increase by 6.3% between 2011 and 2031. Over this period, the number of people of core working age is projected to decrease significantly by 17.7%. In contrast, the population aged over 65 years is projected to increase markedly, with a 76.1% increase in those aged over 75.

Figure 21: Allendale and Haydon Bridge population projection

Projected population change 2011 - 2031 Age Group Population Population Change Population Change as 2011 2031 a % 0-15 624 712 88 14.1%

16-59 (female)/ 64 (male) 2,470 2,032 -438 -17.7%

60/65-74 665 950 285 42.9% 75+ 435 766 331 76.1% Total 4,194 4,460 266 6.3%

Housing Profile

3.9 In 2011, 57.7% of properties in the Allendale area were in Council Tax Bands A to C, with 21.1% of these in Band A.

3.10 The 2011 Census recorded 1,039 household spaces in Allendale, an increase of 89 since 2001. Of these household spaces, 122, or 11.7% had no residents. In 2011, 72.7% of households were living in owner occupied properties, 8.5% in social rented housing and 18.7% in the private rented sector.

3.11 In 2011, 25.1% of households occupied properties with four or more bedrooms, 36.8% of homes had fewer than three bedrooms, and 38.6% have three bedrooms.

3.12 In comparison to Northumberland as a whole, Allendale contains a significantly smaller proportion of low value properties, and a significantly higher proportion of high value properties. The area is characterised by having a high level of owner occupiers, and less households living in social rented properties. The housing stock is relatively small.

Economic Profile

3.13 Amongst the population aged 16 to 74, 66.1% are in employment, 2.4% unemployed, and 18.9% retired.

3.14 The proportion of people in employment and in retirement is higher in Allendale than Northumberland as a whole; the unemployment rate is lower.

Constraints analysis

3.15 The River East Allen forms the western boundary to the settlement of Allendale, while Philip Burn to the north and Shield Burn to the east are further constraints to development. Woodland marks much of the north-eastern settlement edge, while further development is constrained to the south and east of Allendale by the steep topography of the land.

Figure 22: Allendale

Highways and connectivity

3.16 Allendale is located some distance to the south of the strategic road network, with the B6295 and A686 linking the village to the A69; connecting Allendale to Haydon Bridge, Haltwhistle and Carlisle to the west and Hexham, Corbridge and the Tyneside conurbation to the east.

3.17 Allendale is served by limited local bus services to Hexham which serves as an interchange for wider connectivity to Carlisle and Newcastle.

Flood Risk

3.18 While most of the town is not identified as at risk of fluvial flooding, the Bridge End area west of the River Allen is in Flood Zone 3. Much of the area aligned with the River East Allen extending south to north is identified as being in Flood Zone 3; as is that aligned with Philip Burn to the north of Allendale.

Figure 23: Allendale Environment Agency Flood Risk

3.19 The SFRA identifies that the areas identified above are largely within Flood Zone 3a, and are therefore not in the functional flood plain.

Figure 24: Allendale Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Water and sewerage capacity

3.20 The detailed WCS identifies that there are no capacity constraints associated with water resources from Kielder WRZ, but that there are capacity constraints associated with Allendale WwTW, which may require an upgrade to accommodate new development.

3.21 The WCS also identifies that the sewer networks in Allendale do not have a history of sewer flooding.

Natural Environment Designations

3.22 The Allendale area is located within the North Pennines AONB, while a designated SSSI and SPA is located to the southeast of the town. Shieldburn Plantation, aligned with Shield Burn to the east of Allendale, is identified as ancient semi-natural woodland.

Figure 25: Allendale natural environment designations

Built Heritage Designations

3.23 An area of Bridge End, together with Wentworth Terrace and the town centre, is a conservation area, while there are numerous listed buildings in the town centre of Allendale. Allen Smelt Mill is to the northwest of Allendale, and is a scheduled monument; as is Blackett Level Portal, on the south bank of the River Allen.

Figure 26: Allendale built heritage designations

Archaeological Sensitivity

3.24 The extensive urban survey identifies much of the town centre, around the market place, and a small area around Blackett Level Portal, as being of high archaeological sensitivity. The area around Bridge End Mill, on the west bank of the River Allen is of medium sensitivity.

Figure 27: Allendale Archaeological Sensitivity

Open Space

3.25 Allendale Park covers much of the area north of the town on the east bank of the River Allen, and extends along Philip Burn. Allendale Cricket Club is located at Riding Haugh on the west bank of the River East Allen. The recent Allendale Neighbourhood Plan has designated a Local Green Space covering school playing field area in the centre of Allendale’s built-up area.

Figure 28: Allendale green infrastructure and open space

Landscape sensitivity

3.26 It is important to recognise that this small area is washed over by the AONB designation, which affords this landscape strong national recognition. Looking at the settlement of Allendale itself, as assessed in the Key land Use Impact Assessment, the most sensitive landscape features are the open hill slopes to the north and west of Allendale (1). Lower slopes adjacent to settlement edge are also sensitive, but the foot of the slopes to the southeast may be less sensitive to limited, small-scale development (2). Brownfield land northeast of the school and along Leadside Bank to the north (3) are identified as also being of possibly lower landscape sensitivity, albeit within the overall AONB constraints.

Figure 29: Allendale landscape sensitivity

Agricultural Land Classification

3.27 Much of the Allendale area is identified as Grade 4 agricultural land. The River East Allen valley to the northwest is Grade 3.

Figure 30: Allendale agricultural land classification

Mineral Resource Areas

3.28 The areas immediately around Allendale Town are not underlain with mineral resources. A sand and gravel mineral resource is located to north of Thornley Gate, northwest of Allendale, aligned with the River East Allen. Some pressure to extract minerals may manifest itself within the sub-area as the Plan period progresses.

Historic Housing Delivery and Land Take Up

Historic Housing Delivery

3.29 The Allendale and Haydon Bridge small area saw 47 completions over the period 2009-11. Approximately 10 dwellings were completed in Allendale over the period 2004-09, with a significant level of this development at Thornley Gate.

Employment Land Take Up

3.30 From 1999 to 2014 there was no allocated employment land taken up or lost to other land uses in the Allendale area.

The availability of land for housing and employment

Housing Land Availability

3.31 The capacity of identified sites to accommodate residential development over the plan period across both the Allendale small area and the settlement itself is set out below.

3.32 In addition to the 38 units completed between 2011 and 2015, sites across the small area with a capacity to accommodate an additional 90 dwellings over the plan period are identified. Approximately 73% of the capacity is within or adjacent to the town of Allendale.

Figure 31: Housing land availability in the small area and Allendale No of dwellings Small Area Allendale Completions 2011-15 38 25 Deliverable sites 0 – 5 years 0 0 Developable sites 6- 10 years 90 69 Developable sites 11 – 15 years 0 0 Developable sites year 16 0 0 Total 128 94

3.33 Included in the table above, are dwellings forecast to be delivered on sites with planning consent. The Council’s Five Year Supply of Deliverable Sites (2015-

2020) document identifies a remaining capacity of 10 units forecast to be delivered on one site with extant planning permission at The Dale Hotel, Market Place, Allendale (12/03249/FUL).

PDL/Greenfield

3.34 The SHLAA identifies that the 90 dwellings which may be accommodated on deliverable and developable sites over the plan period which are not under construction may be accommodated on 5.3ha of greenfield land.

Figure 32: Allendale SHLAA sites

Employment land availability

3.35 The total employment land available in the Allendale small area is 1.133ha, with land distributed across two sites to the north of Allendale; Allendale – Catton (E01) and Catton – Ridley’s Yard (E21).

Figure 33: Allocated employment land availability in Allendale Developed Ref. No Site Settlement Area (ha) (ha) Available (ha)

Allendale - Not in a E01 Catton Settlement 1.001 0.449 0.552

Catton - Ridley's Not in a E21 Yard Settlement 1.039 0.377 0.581 1.133

Proposed requirements for housing and employment land

3.36 The Pre-submission Core Strategy proposes a housing requirement of 100 dwellings over the plan period.

3.37 The above information indicates that there is sufficient capacity within Allendale to accommodate this scale of development. Given that 38 units have already been completed between 2011and 2015, the housing requirement for the remainder of the plan period is 62 dwellings.

3.38 There is a total of 2ha employment land allocation at Catton (E01) to the west of the B6295, and at Catton Ridleys Yard (E21) to the east of the B6295, with 1.13ha of available land.

Conclusion

3.39 The SLR identifies that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the 100 dwellings proposed in the Northumberland Core Strategy.

3.40 This level of development may assist in arresting the projected future decline in the size of the working age population. It should also enable a greater mix of housing, and support Allendale’s role as a Service Centre in the West Delivery Area.

3.41 The most important constraint to development in the AONB designation, which means that less sensitive pockets for development in and around the village are limited and call for sensitive design. There are some issues of WWTW capacity.

3.42 While areas of lower constraint close to the village are relatively few, it should be noted that the Allendale Neighbourhood Plan allows scope for buildings to be converted or brought back into use. There are many potential such buildings along the East Allen valley.

4 Haydon Bridge

Introduction

4.1 Haydon Bridge is a Service Centre in the West Northumberland Delivery Area.

4.2 Haydon Bridge is a large village located at a key historic crossing point in a deeply incised part of the South Tyne Valley, west of Hexham and east of Haltwhistle. This is a sub-area of the Allendale and Haydon small area, comprising the Haydon parish area alone.

Figure 34: Allendale and Haydon small area

Role and function

4.3 Haydon Bridge lies just within the commuting influence of Tyneside but its essential role is as a local housing and service centre. It also acts as a location for small-scale employment and as a stopping place for visitors to Hadrian’s Wall, the National Park and the North Pennines.

4.4 Haydon Bridge is on the main Newcastle to Carlisle railway line and the A69 Trunk Road, which now bypasses the village centre.

4.5 The role of Haydon Bridge as a Service Centre is exemplified by the range of services and facilities it offers. Unusually for a village of its size, Haydon Bridge contains the main High School for the south-west of the County. Haydon Bridge also contains 835 square metres of central retail floorspace and approximately 1.2 hectares of developed employment land. Cultural facilities include a library. Haydon Bridge benefits from a fire station. The catchment area of Haydon Bridge High School extends across a wide area, bordering County Durham, Cumbria and the Scottish Border and extends to Otterburn in the north, incorporating Haltwhistle, Kielder and a wide area of Northumberland National Park.

Demographic, economic and housing profile

Population Profile

4.6 The 2011 Census recorded that there were 2,184 usual residents in the Haydon Bridge area; an increase of 157 people since 2001.

4.7 Over this period the proportion of the population of core working age (16- 64 years) increased from 61.4% to 65.2%, while the proportion aged over 65 decreased from 19.5% to 18.6%.

Figure 35: Haydon Bridge demographic profile People aged 75 and Population 0 - 4 5 - 15 16 - 24 25 - 44 45 - 64 65 - 74 over

2001 2,027 4.8% 14.2% 9.4% 26.1% 25.9% 9.3% 10.2% 2,184 2011 4.7% 11.5% 9.6% 21.1% 34.4% 8.7% 9.9%

4.8 In 2011, the Haydon Bridge area had a larger proportion of its population of working age than the County as a whole, and a smaller proportion aged over 65 years.

Population Projection

4.9 When applied at the local level, the 2012 based Sub-national Population Projections indicate that the population of the Allendale and Haydon Bridge small area will increase by 6.3% between 2011 and 2031. Over this period, the number of people of core working age is projected to decrease significantly by 17.7%. In contrast, the population aged over 65 years is projected to increase markedly, with a 76.1% increase in those aged over 75.

Figure 36: Allendale and Haydon Bridge population projection

Projected population change 2011 - 2031 Age Group Population Population Change Population Change as 2011 2031 a % 0-15 624 712 88 14.1%

16-59 (female)/ 64 (male) 2,470 2,032 -438 -17.7% 60/65-74 665 950 285 42.9% 75+ 435 766 331 76.1% Total 4,194 4,460 266 6.3%

Housing Profile

4.10 In 2011, 73.1% of properties in the Haydon Bridge area were in Council Tax Bands A to C, with 39.4% of these in Band A.

4.11 The 2011 Census recorded 1,011household spaces in Haydon Bridge, an increase of 131 since 2001. Of these household spaces, 68, or 6.7% had no residents. In 2011, 57.8% of households were living in owner occupied properties, 19.7% in social rented housing and 22.5% in the private rented sector.

4.12 In 2011, 23.0% of households occupied properties with four or more bedrooms, 38.2% of homes had fewer than three bedrooms, and 38.8% have three bedrooms.

4.13 In comparison to Northumberland as a whole, Haydon Bridge contains a smaller proportion of low value properties, and more high value properties. The area is characterised by having fewer owner occupiers, and fewer households living in social rented properties. The housing stock is relatively small.

Economic activity

4.14 Amongst the population aged 16 to 74, 70.5% are in employment, 3.0% unemployed, and 15.1% retired.

4.15 The proportion of people in employment is higher in Haydon Bridge than Northumberland as a whole; however the unemployment rate and retirement rates are lower.

Constraints analysis

4.16 Growth in Haydon Bridge is constrained by steep topography to the north and south of the settlement, while both the River South Tyne and the Tyne Valley Railway bi-sect the village. Gee’s Wood and Langley Burn form a natural

settlement edge to the south east of Haydon Bridge.

Figure 37: Haydon Bridge

Highways and connectivity

4.17 Haydon Bridge is well connected to the strategic road network, being located just north of the new bypass line of the A69, which connects Haydon Bridge to Haltwhistle and Carlisle to the west and Hexham, Corbridge and the Tyneside conurbation to the east.

4.18 Development to the south of Haydon Bridge, in the areas between the village and the bypass, is somewhat constrained due to the narrow layout and topography of some of the access roads.

4.19 Haydon Bridge is served by bus services that link Carlisle and Newcastle via Hexham. In addition, Haydon Bridge is accessible via train. A train station is located to the north east of the settlement providing access to Newcastle and Carlisle.

Flood Risk

4.20 While most of the village of Haydon Bridge is not identified as at risk of fluvial flooding, the Brigwood area south of Haydon Bridge is in Flood Zone 3. To the east of Haydon Bridge, an area between the River South Tyne and the A69 is also in Flood Zone 3; as is much of the area aligned with the River South Tyne and Langley Burn to the south. John Martin Street, located south of the A686,

is in Flood Zone 2.

Figure 38: Haydon Bridge Environment Agency Flood Risk

4.21 The SFRA identifies that the areas identified above are largely within the functional flood plain, in Flood Zone 3b, while much of the Brigwood area is in Flood Zone 3a; as is an area aligned with Langley Burn to the south.

Figure 39: Haydon Bridge Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Water and sewerage capacity

4.22 The detailed WCS identifies that there are no capacity constraints associated with water resources from Kielder WRZ, but that there are capacity constraints associated with Haydon Bridge WwTW which may require an upgrade to accommodate for new development.

4.23 The WCS also identifies that the sewer networks in Haydon Bridge have no previous history of sewer flooding, although there are capacity issues with the sewer networks to the west and southwest of the village.

Natural Environment Designations

4.24 While there are no natural environment designations located within Haydon Bridge, Gee’s Wood to the southeast of the village is identified as ancient semi- natural woodland. A LWGS is designated to the south of Gee’s Wood, aligned with Langley Burn.

Figure 40: Haydon Bridge natural environment designations

Built Heritage Designations

4.25 A significant area of Haydon Bridge is designated as a conservation area, incorporating much of the area aligned along North Bank, Church Street and Haydon Bridge, a scheduled monument (SM). It also stretches south of the river. A number of listed buildings are located in the centre of Haydon Bridge, including St Cuthbert’s Church, the Old Vicarage and the war memorial adjacent to Church Street and the Anchor Hotel on the southeast side of Haydon Bridge.

Figure 41: Haydon Bridge built heritage designations

Open Space

4.26 Haydon Bridge contains a significant amount of open space, with much of this identified as outdoor sports facilities. The outdoor sports facilities to the west of Haydon Bridge are associated with the high school, while playing fields to the east of Haydon Bridge, aligned with the River South Tyne, are also identified. In addition to an area adjacent to the railway, there is a provision of natural and semi-natural green space aligned along the north bank of the River South Tyne, while Shaftoe Green is identified adjacent to Shaftoe Trust First School.

Figure 42: Haydon Bridge green infrastructure and open space

Landscape sensitivity

4.27 An area of open hill above Tofts Bank (1) is identified (in the Key land Use Impact Study) as being of high sensitivity to change, while an area between Tofts Bank and the school (2) is identified as being of lower landscape sensitivity. Additional areas of lower landscape sensitivity are identified to the west between the railway and the river and to the south between the settlement edge and the bypass (3). Leisure and recreation functions of the landscape to the east and southeast of Haydon Bridge (4) are suggested as being important to retain.

Figure 43: Haydon Bridge landscape sensitivity

Agricultural Land Classification

4.28 Much of the agricultural land in the Haydon Bridge area is identified as Grade 3, while areas to the northeast and southwest, aligned with the River South Tyne, are identified as Grade 2 – towards the top end of the range of agricultural land quality and versatility in Northumberland.

Figure 44: Haydon Bridge agricultural land classification

Mineral Resource Areas

4.29 A sand and gravel mineral resource, aligned with the River South Tyne, extends across Haydon Bridge from the southwest to the northeast. While much of the Haydon Bridge area is not underlain by mineral resources, there is a coal resource at West Mill Hills to the northeast of Haydon Bridge.

Historic Housing Delivery and Land Take Up

Historic Housing Delivery

4.30 The Allendale and Haydon Bridge small area saw 47 completions over the period 2009-11. Approximately 50 dwellings were completed in Haydon Bridge over the period 2004-09, with a significant level of this development at Innerhaugh and Church Street.

Employment Land Take Up

4.31 From 1999 to 2014 there was no allocated employment land taken up or lost to other land uses in the Haydon Bridge area.

The availability of land for housing and employment

Housing Land Availability

4.32 The capacity of identified sites to accommodate residential development over the plan period across both the Haydon Bridge small area and the settlement itself is set out below.

4.33 In addition to the 4 units completed between 2011 and 2015, sites across the small area with a capacity to accommodate an additional 196 dwellings over the plan period are identified. Nearly 100% of capacity is within or adjacent to Haydon Bridge.

Figure 45: Housing land availability in the small area and Haydon Bridge No of dwellings Small Area Haydon Bridge Completions 2011-15 4 3 Deliverable sites 0 – 5 years 26 26 Developable sites 6- 10 years 112 107 Developable sites 11 – 15 years 58 58 Developable sites year 16 0 0 Total 200 199

4.34 Included in the table above, are dwellings forecast to be delivered on sites with planning consent. The Council’s Five Year Supply of Deliverable Sites (2015- 2020) document identifies a capacity of 26 units forecast to be delivered across two sites with extant planning permission.

4.35 Of those units with extant permission 20 are expected to be delivered at Taits Haulage Yard, Haydon Bridge (ENCP746) and 6 units are expected to be delivered at Anchor Garage, John Martin Street, Haydon Bridge (13/03434/FUL).

PDL/Greenfield

4.36 The SHLAA identifies that of the 196 dwellings which may be accommodated on deliverable and developable sites over the plan period which are not under construction, approximately 34 dwellings (17%) may be accommodated on 0.9ha of PDL, and 162 (83%) on 6.0ha of greenfield land.

Figure 46: Haydon Bridge SHLAA sites

Employment land availability

4.37 The total employment land available in Haydon Bridge is 0.227ha, located at one site; Haydon Bridge – North of Station Road (E25).

Figure 47: Allocated employment land availability in Haydon Bridge Ref. Developed No Site Settlement Area (ha) (ha) Available (ha) Haydon Bridge - North of Haydon E25 Station Road Bridge 0.976 0.718 0.227 0.227

Proposed requirements for housing and employment land

4.38 The Pre-submission Core Strategy proposes a housing requirement of 200 dwellings over the plan period.

4.39 The above information indicates that there is sufficient capacity within Haydon Bridge to accommodate this scale of development. Given that 4 units have been completed between 2011and 2015, the housing requirement for the remainder of the plan period is 196 dwellings.

4.40 The plan proposes the de-allocation of 0.22ha employment land North of Station Road (E25), leaving a total employment land allocation of 1.26ha.

Conclusion

4.41 The SLR identifies that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the 200 dwellings proposed in the Northumberland Core Strategy.

4.42 This level of development will assist in arresting the projected future decline in the size of the working age population – possibly facilitating a continuation of the type of growth experienced in recent years. It should also enable a greater mix of housing, and support Haydon Bridge’s role as a Service Centre in the West Delivery Area.

4.43 Key constraints to development are the flood risk posed by South Tyne, some road capacity constraints to the south of the village, the topography / landscape and visual sensitivity of areas to the north, the good quality of some of the surrounding agricultural land (east and west), the conservation area designation and some issues of WWTW capacity that could put an upper limit on development pending future investment.

4.44 Areas of lower constraint are relatively few and possible sites may see their capacity reduced by local constraints. Nevertheless there may be a number of

38 limited development opportunities, mostly in the west and south-west areas of the village, as the plan period progresses.

5 Bellingham

Introduction

5.1 Bellingham is a Service Centre in the West Northumberland Delivery Area. The small area is comprised of the parishes of Bellingham, Wark, Birtley, Otterburn and Corsenside.

Figure 48: Bellingham small area

Role and function

5.2 Bellingham is the largest settlement in the North Tyne Valley and provides local services to a wide rural hinterland. It acts as a gateway for people visiting the National Park and Kielder Water and Forest Park. It looks to Hexham for many higher level services.

5.3 The role of Bellingham as a Service Centre is exemplified by the range of services and facilities it offers. Bellingham contains a middle school, 830 square metres of central retail floorspace and approximately 0.9 hectares of developed employment land. Cultural facilities include a library. Bellingham benefits from ambulance, police and fire stations. The catchment area of Bellingham Middle School Sports College extends east to Ridsdale and East

Woodburn, and west to the Cumbrian and Scottish Borders, incorporating a wide area of Northumberland National Park and Kielder.

Demographic, economic and housing profile

Population Profile

5.4 The 2011 Census recorded that there were 3,419 usual residents in the Bellingham area; an increase of 213 people since 2001.

5.5 Over this period the proportion of the population of core working age (16- 64 years) decreased slightly from 62.2% to 61.7%, while the proportion aged over 65 increased from 20.0% to 23.5%.

Figure 49: Bellingham demographic profile People aged 75 and Population 0 - 4 5 - 15 16 - 24 25 - 44 45 - 64 65 - 74 over

2001 3206 4.5% 13.3% 8.0% 27.8% 26.4% 11.3% 8.7% 2011 3419 4.9% 9.9% 8.4% 20.9% 32.3% 12.9% 10.6%

5.6 In 2011, the Bellingham area had a lower proportion of its population of working age than the County as a whole, and a significantly larger proportion aged over 65 years.

Population Projection

5.7 When applied at the local level, the 2012 based Sub-national Population Projections indicate that the population of Bellingham will increase slightly by 0.3% between 2011 and 2031. Over this period, the number of people of core working age is projected to decrease significantly, by 23.1%. In contrast, the population aged over 65 years is projected to increase markedly, with a 95.6% increase in those aged over 75.

Figure 50: Bellingham population projection

Projected population change 2011 - 2031 Age Group Population Population Change Population Change as a 2011 2031 %

0-15 503 394 -109 -21.7%

16-59 (female)/ 64 (male) 1,976 1,519 -457 -23.1%

60/65-74 577 802 225 39.0%

75+ 367 718 351 95.6%

Total 3,423 3,433 10 0.3%

Housing Profile

5.8 In 2011, 69.2% of properties in the Bellingham area were in Council Tax Bands A to C, with 37.0% of these in Band A.

5.9 The 2011 Census recorded 1,665 household spaces in Bellingham, an increase of 182 since 2001. Of these household spaces, 146, or 8.8% had no residents. In 2011, 63.9% of households were living in owner occupied properties, 16.2% in social rented housing and 19.9% in the private rented sector.

5.10 In 2011, 22.3% of households occupied properties with four or more bedrooms, 34.3% of homes had fewer than three bedrooms, and 43.4% have three bedrooms.

5.11 In comparison to Northumberland as a whole, Bellingham contains a smaller proportion of low value properties, and more high value properties. The area is characterised by having fewer owner occupiers, and fewer households living in social rented properties.

Economic activity

5.12 Amongst the population aged 16 to 74, 64.6% are in employment, 2.3% unemployed, and 20.7% retired.

5.13 The proportion of people in employment and in retirement is higher in Bellingham than Northumberland as a whole; however the unemployment rate is lower.

Constraints analysis

5.14 Growth in Bellingham is constrained by the River North Tyne to the south west, while Northumberland National Park borders the settlement. There are limits to further development to the north-east of Bellingham due to the topography of the land.

Figure 51: Bellingham

Highways and connectivity

5.15 Bellingham is located well to the west of the strategic road network, with Redesmouth Road linking the village to the A68; connecting Bellingham to Corbridge to the south. The B6320, which joins with the A6079, links Bellingham to Hexham.

5.16 Development is constrained to the south of Bellingham by capacity issues associated with the B6320, which may require extensive improvements to support development any significant. A narrow bridge situated along the B6320 crosses the River North Tyne, while the rural nature of the roads to the northeast of Bellingham also presents a significant constraint to development.

5.17 Bellingham is served by limited local bus services to Hexham which provides an interchange for other services to Newcastle and Carlisle.

Flood Risk

5.18 While most of the town is not identified as at risk from fluvial flooding, the Boat Road area located at the confluence of the River North Tyne and the River Rede, is in Flood Zone 3; as are areas aligned with the River Rede located northeast of Bellingham. Wide areas aligned with the River North Tyne, extending west to south of Bellingham, are also in Flood Zone 3.

Figure 52: Bellingham Environment Agency Flood Risk

5.19 The SFRA identifies much of the area identified above as being within the functional flood plain, in Flood Zone 3b, while areas aligned with the River Rede are in Flood Zone 3a; as is an area on the north bank of the River North Tyne, incorporating the cricket ground and Jubilee Park.

Figure 53: Bellingham Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Water and sewerage capacity

5.20 The detailed WCS identifies that there are no capacity constraints associated with water resources from Kielder WCZ or Bellingham WwTW, but that there are capacity constraints associated with Wark WwTW and Birtley WwTW. Wark WwTW may require an upgrade to accommodate for new development, whereas Birtley WwTW was not assessed by Northumbrian Water.

5.21 The WCS also identifies that the sewer network to the south has a historic record of sewer flooding, while it is indicated that there are capacity issues with sewer networks to the north, west and south of Bellingham. Further investigation and possible infrastructure upgrades may be required in these locations.

Natural Environment Designations

5.22 Bellingham is situated on the border of Northumberland National Park, a Dark Sky Park, which lies to the north and west of the village. An area to the north of Bellingham aligned with Hareshaw Burn is designated an SSSI, while an area aligned with the River North Tyne is a LWGS, extending from the west to Bellingham Bridge.

Figure 54: Bellingham natural environment designations

Built Heritage Designations

5.23 There are numerous listed features clustered in the village centre of Bellingham, which include Bellingham Bridge, Bellingham Town Hall and Saint Cuthberts Church, while the Hareshaw Ironworks to the northeast of Bellingham are a scheduled monument (SM).

Figure 55: Bellingham built heritage designations

Archaeological Sensitivity (if applicable)

5.24 The extensive urban survey identifies that much of the village centre around Manchester Square, and an area adjacent to Russell Terrace, is of high archaeological sensitivity. Hareshaw Ironworks, a scheduled monument, is also of high archaeological sensitivity, while much of the area between Hareshaw Ironworks and Redesmouth Road is identified as being of medium archaeological sensitivity; as is a small area in the vicinity of the library.

Figure 56: Bellingham Archaeological Sensitivity

Open Space

5.25 Bellingham contains a significant amount of open space, with a large proportion of this space identified as amenity greenspace. Jubilee Park is located on the north bank of the River North Tyne, as are additional areas of natural and semi- natural green space. Outdoor sports facilities in Bellingham are associated with Bellingham Middle School to the west and Riverdale Hall Hotel Cricket Club, on the north bank of the River North Tyne.

Figure 57: Bellingham green infrastructure and open space

Landscape sensitivity

5.26 While bearing in mind the proximity of the Dark Sky Park, (which will have implications for the effect on the landscape of the way that new development is lit), it can be noted that an area of land within the centre of Bellingham has been identified as being of lower landscape sensitivity to development, with the possibility of redeveloping the mart site (1). In addition, pockets of land to the northeast, southeast and west of Bellingham (2) are also identified as being less sensitive to change.

Figure 58: Bellingham landscape sensitivity

Agricultural Land Classification

5.27 While much of the agricultural land surrounding Bellingham is identified as being Grade 4, a large area of agricultural land aligned with the River North Tyne is identified as Grade 3, extending from the northwest to the southeast. In addition to an area to the east of Bellingham, an area to the southwest of the village is Grade 5 agricultural land.

Figure 59: Bellingham agricultural land classification

Mineral Resource Areas

5.28 A sand and gravel mineral resource, aligned with the River North Tyne, extends from the west of Bellingham to the southeast, with an area adjacent to the east bank of the River North Tyne also constrained by the resource. A coal mineral resource is confined to the west of Bellingham at Shaw Banks.

Historic Housing Delivery and Land Take Up

Historic Housing Delivery

5.29 The Bellingham small area saw 22 completions over the period 2009-11. Approximately 50 dwellings were completed in Bellingham over the period 2004-09, with a significant level of this development at Reenes Way and Percy Terrace.

5.30 Of note: included in this small area, but away from Bellingham, are Otterburn 23 and Wark 9 (2004-09 figures).

Employment Land Take Up

5.31 From 1999 to 2014 there was no allocated employment land taken up or lost to other land uses in the Bellingham area.

The availability of land for housing and employment

5.32 The capacity of identified sites to accommodate residential development over the plan period across both the Bellingham small area and the settlement itself is set out below.

5.33 In addition to the 31 units completed between 2011 and 2015, sites across the small area with a capacity to accommodate an additional 209 dwellings over the plan period are identified. Approximately 50% of capacity is within or adjacent to the town of Bellingham.

Housing Land Availability

5.34 The number of housing completions from April 2011 to March 2015, together with the number of dwellings forecast to be delivered of sites within five years, and the number of units which may be developed on sites over the remainder of the plan period, are set out in Figure 60. Numbers from across small area as a whole are presented together with those for Bellingham itself.

Figure 60: Housing land availability in the small area and Bellingham

No of dwellings Small Area Bellingham Completions 2011-15 31 15 Deliverable sites 0 – 5 years 0 0 Developable sites 6 – 10 years 145 65 Developable sites 11 – 15 years 64 40 Developable sites year 16 0 0 Total 240 120

Dwellings forecast to be delivered on sites with planning consent would be included in the table above; however there are no such consents within this small area.

PDL/Greenfield

5.35 The SHLAA identifies that of the 209 dwellings which may be accommodated on deliverable and developable sites over the plan period which are not under construction, approximately 73 dwellings (36%) may be accommodated on 2.0ha of PDL, and 136 (65%) on 17.4ha of greenfield land.

Figure 61: Bellingham SHLAA sites

Employment land availability

5.36 The total employment land available in Bellingham is 0.36ha, with land distributed across two sites; Bellingham - Foundary Road (E02) and Bellingham - South of Demesne Farm (E24).

Figure 62: Allocated employment land availability in Bellingham Developed Ref. No Site Settlement Area (ha) (ha) Available (ha)

Bellingham - E02 Foundary Road Bellingham 0.879 0.489 0.223

Bellingham - South of E24 Demesne Farm Bellingham 0.137 0 0.137

0.36

Proposed requirements for housing and employment land

5.37 The Pre-submission Core Strategy proposes a housing requirement of 280 dwellings over the plan period.

5.38 The above information indicates that there is sufficient capacity within Bellingham to accommodate this scale of development. Given that 31 units have already been completed between 2011and 2015, the housing requirement for the remainder of the plan period is 249 dwellings.

5.39 The plan proposes the de-allocation of 0.13ha employment land at Bellingham – South of Demense Farm (E24), leaving a total employment land allocation of 0.87ha at Bellingham Foundry Road, and 0.38ha at Wark Sawmill, with 0.06ha of available land.

Conclusion

5.40 The SLR identifies that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the 280 dwellings proposed in the Northumberland Core Strategy.

5.41 This level of development will assist in arresting the decline in the size of the working age population, enable a greater mix of housing, and support Bellingham’s role as a Service Centre in the West Delivery Area.

5.42 Key constraints to development include the barrier posed by the River North Tyne and its associated flood plain. The road link towards Hexham over this stretch of river is single track, which meant that there will be limits on how much the settlement could grow without major road investment. Also of note is the need for early investment in the WWTW capacity. There are also road capacity and topographical constraints on certain other edges of the village, such as the north-east. The proximity of the National park and Dark Sky Park will demand that new development, especially on settlement edges is sensitively designed and lit.

5.43 Scope exists for development to occur in pockets around the edge of the village, subject to individual developments being of a relatively small scale and sensitive design. The larger mart site remains available close to the village centre.

6 Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area

Introduction

6.1 The Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area small area extends along the borders of Carlisle, Eden and Scottish Borders and occupies much of the West Delivery Area. The small area includes the villages of Bardon Mill, Kielder, Lambley and Newbrough and comprises of 25 parishes which are listed below in Figure 63.

Figure 63: Parishes contained within Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area Bardon Mill Henshaw Simonburn Bavington Humshaugh Tarset Chollerton Kielder Thirlwall Coanwood Kirkwhelpington Wall Falstone Knarsdale and Kirkhaugh Warden Featherstone Melkridge West Allen Greenhead Newbrough Whittington Greystead Plenmeller and Whitfield Hartleyburn Rochester

Historic Housing Delivery

6.2 The Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area small area saw 35 completions over the period 2009-11.

The availability of land for housing and employment

Housing Land Availability

6.3 The capacity of identified sites to accommodate residential development over the plan period across the Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area small area is set out below.

6.4 In addition to the 48 units completed between 2011 and 2015, sites across the small area with a capacity to accommodate an additional 292 dwellings over the plan period are identified.

Figure 64: Housing land availability in Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area No of dwellings in Small Area Completions 2011-15 48 Deliverable sites 0 – 5 years 65 Developable sites 6 – 10 years 139 Developable sites 11 – 15 years 114 Developable sites year 16 0 Total 366

6.5 Of those units completed, 14 were delivered at Land north of the George Hotel Humshaugh (13/01103/FUL).

6.6 Included in the table above are dwellings forecast to be delivered on sites with planning consent. The Council’s Five Year Supply of Deliverable Sites (2015- 2020) document identifies a remaining capacity of 36 units across four sites currently under construction.

6.7 Of those units on sites under construction, Falcon Grange, Bardon Mill (ENRP308) is expected to deliver 19 units.

6.8 Since the SHLAA base date of 1 April 2015, sites at Humshaugh (20 units), Barrasford (18 units) and Gilsland (13 units) have received planning permission. These permissions do not however increase the supply identified in the table above.

PDL/Greenfield

6.9 The SHLAA identifies that of the 290 dwellings which may be accommodated on deliverable and developable sites over the plan period which are not under construction, approximately 12 dwellings (4%) may be accommodated on 0.6ha of PDL, and 278 (72%) on 20.8ha of greenfield land.

Employment land availability

6.10 There is no employment land available on the allocated sites in the Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area.

Proposed requirements for housing and employment land

6.11 The Pre-submission Core Strategy proposes a housing requirement of 370 dwellings over the plan period.

6.12 The above information indicates that there is sufficient capacity within the Rest of West Northumberland Delivery Area to accommodate this scale of development. Given that 48 units have already been completed between

2011and 2015, the housing requirement for the remainder of the plan period is 322 dwellings.

6.13 The Core Strategy proposes to retain policy protection for 8.92ha of built out employment sites. No new available land is proposed to be allocated and four sites totalling 0.58ha are proposed to be de-allocated.

Figure 65: Employment land in the Rest of West Delivery Area Allocated sites Area (ha) De-allocated sites Area (ha) Fourstones – Limeworks (E14) 2.74 Colwell (E18) 0.50 Fourstones – Papermill (E13) 1.97 Fourstones – Limeworks (E14) 0.08 Plenmeller (E11) 3.83 Wark - Sawmill 0.38 Total 8.92 Total 0.58

Accommodating the level of development proposed

6.14 While the Northumberland Core Strategy does not provide housing numbers to settlements below Service Centre level, in order to demonstrate where the level of development may be accommodated the below capacity information is for information only.

Figure 66: Capacity of sites in settlement in the Rest of South East Delivery Area

Settlement Yield 0-16 years

Bardon Mill 19 Barrasford 34 Bearsbridge 5 Byrness 6 Chollerford 42 Gilsland 3 Great Whittington 26 Greenhead 7 Gunnerton 52 Humshaugh 76 Kirkwhelpington 17 Not in a Settlement 5

6.15 While the above table presents the potential housing land supply of settlements in the Rest of the West Delivery Area, greater certainty about where development may occur in the short term is indicated by developments which benefit from planning consent. Of the outstanding identified housing requirement for the Rest of North Delivery Area, approximately a quarter (76

dwellings) could be delivered on sites which currently benefit from planning permission. The settlements with the greatest number of permitted dwellings are in Humshaugh (20), Bardon Mill (19), Barrasford (18) and Gilsland (13).

Conclusion

6.16 The West Delivery Area has a marginal shortfall of 30 units based on site capacity identified in the 2015 SHLAA. However it is expected that other sources of housing supply will make up for this shortfall over the plan period. Due to its rural nature past housing development in the West Delivery Area, and in particular outside the Main Towns and Service Centres, demonstrates that the majority of completions are on small sites, agricultural conversions, and small infill development within settlements. It is expected that windfall development will deliver the 30 unit shortfall. It is also considered that an element of supply may also come forward from long term empty homes being brought back into use.

6.17 It is considered that new employment space will be provided through building conversions and small scale new build workspace on unallocated sites, including as part of farm diversification schemes. It is also expected that many businesses will operate from residential properties. It is considered that housing and employment development can be accommodated across the Rest of North Delivery in a manner consistent with sustainable development principles and the spatial distribution policy of the Northumberland Core Strategy. These principles indicate that for settlements other than Main Towns and Service Centres, development will be allowed which doesn’t impact on its character, is of an appropriate size, maintains or enhances local services and facilities, meets identified needs and protects the countryside from widespread new development.