Replacement access road at Land To The South Of Old Lodge, Hamsterley Mill

What was proposed

The application sought a replacement access drive to Hamsterley Hall, including a new low-level crossing over Hamsterley Burn.

“Full planning permission is sought for the erection of a replacement access drive to the grade II listed Hamsterley Hall following a land slip that has rendered the traditional access and an associated public right of way unsafe.”

“The rerouted drive uses the existing access onto the public highway, the B6310 at a gatehouse then after crossing a paddock tracks west, rather than east in designated parkland around a Walled Garden to pass between areas of woodland to cross a small watercourse via a new low culvert crossing to rejoin the original line of the drive. In doing so it bypasses a listed bridge and a set of formal gates.”

Officer report

The site and route

The existing drive was undermined by a landslip, and the proposed route would pass west of the walled garden before rejoining the original drive.

“The application site is the line of an alternate access drive to Hamsterley Hall, the existing drive having suffered a landslip into Pont Burn part way along its length. Hamsterley Hall is a grade II* listed building, set in Hamsterley Park, identified on the Local List of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscape, giving it the status of a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA).”

“A revised access route is proposed, taking the drive west of the walled garden, alongside an area of ancient woodland where it drops, crossing Hamsterley Burn west of the listed bridge over a new low level culvert bridge, climbing to rejoin the original drive, bypassing Handley Cross Bridge and a set of gates.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Listed building consent allowed restoration of Hamsterley Hall as a single dwelling, with later approvals for ancillary buildings and refusals for enabling development.

“Listed building consent was granted for the restoration of Hamsterley Hall as a single dwelling, incorporating the construction of ancillary outbuildings and reinstatement of Handley Cross Bridge (DM/16/01355/LB). There have been subsequent approved applications for ancillary buildings, and refusals of applications and appeals for enabling development. Planning Policy…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the benefits of securing the hall’s viable use and restoring public access outweighed limited heritage and landscape harm.

“These heritage harms, with CDP Policy 44 relevant, are assessed as ‘less than substantial’, and whether taken individually or cumulatively are not concluded to outweigh the benefits of the scheme which are identified as enabling the long term viable use of the listed Hall as a heritage asset and enabling the restoration of a public right of way compromised by the landslip.”

“The development would also result in localised low residual landscape harm to the Area of High Landscape Value, conflicting with CDP Policies 10 and 39. These concerns too are considered outweighed by the same benefits in the planning balance exercise.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The senior planning officer presented the application, and the applicant spoke in support about the landslip, safety problems and proposed alternative route.

Members’ views

Councillors highlighted the need for safe access and the future of the heritage building, with approval moved and seconded.

“Councillor Campbell referred to the requirement for an access route that ensured the safety of occupiers, visitors and also secured the future of a heritage building. She recommended that the application was moved for approval.”

“Councillor Bell noted the support offered by DCC and the input of officers to support a clear resolution. He seconded the application for approval.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions and a legal agreement securing a contribution towards monitoring the habitat management plan.

“The Committee recommended that the application was approved subject to the conditions detailed and subject to entering into a legal agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure a financial contribution towards the Council's costs of monitoring compliance with the Habitats Management and Monitoring Plan.”

Minutes