9 affordable homes at Main Street, North Sunderland

What was proposed

The application sought nine affordable homes in terraces and pairs, with amenity space, a SuDS basin and access extending from the approved first phase.

“Full planning permission is sought for the erection of 9no affordable dwellings on land South West Of St Cuthbert Close, Main Street, North Sunderland. The proposed dwellings would sit to the north and east of 9no dwellings already permitted (though not yet under construction) under approved planning application reference 22/04503/FUL.”

“The application site is located on the south western edge of North Sunderland and is comprised of a parcel of agricultural land. It is bound by existing residential development to the north, by open fields to the east and south and by Main Street to the west with open countryside beyond. Access to the site would be gained via an existing field access onto the C68 at the southern corner of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions included up to 20 affordable homes, a refused 20-home scheme and permission for nine affordable homes under phase one.

“Reference Number: 17/01819/OUT Description: Outline Permission with All Matters Reserved; Development of up to 20 dwellings (100% affordable) - Amended 30/04/18 Status: Permitted…”

“Reference Number: 22/00801/FUL Description: Residential development of 20no. affordable homes Status: Refused…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement securing affordable housing, primary occupancy and £5,535 coastal mitigation.

“Recommendation: That this application be GRANTED permission subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement securing affordable housing, primary occupancy and a financial contribution of £5,535 towards the Council’s Coastal Mitigation Service.”

Officer report

The main planning balance

Officers accepted the exception-site principle and found that the need for affordable homes outweighed concerns about density, character, landscape and infrastructure contributions.

“Issues of housing need, visual and landscape impact and impacts on designated areas are discussed further below, however the principle of a small exception site development in this location is accepted. On the basis that the cumulative proposals overstep the intentions of the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan, the application has been advertised as a departure from the Development Plan.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Eight objections cited the location, transport, highway safety, character, landscape and policy circumvention, while seven responses supported the affordable housing need.

“Concerns regarding location not being in the village, distance to shops and services, not well served by public transport Highway safety due to position of access Proposed properties not in character with surrounding area Impact on AONB Circumventing of policy to build more houses that would be appropriate on a "small site" Application should therefore be treated as a development of eighteen houses, lying outside the village boundary and in the AONB and should be refused on…”

“Despite policy conflict the urgent need for affordable housing, able to be delivered short term, clearly outweighs those concerns Previous social housing stock was not protected and has been sold as investment properties. There hasn't been any investment in social housing in nearly 15 years and families are moving out of the villages due to lack of social and affordable housing.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, describing the housing need, local allocation approach, policy position, landscape assessment and benefits of delivering both phases.

The vote

Councillor Hill proposed approval with the amended Section 106 agreement and local-allocation delegation, Councillor Ball seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

“Councillor Hill proposed acceptance of the recommendation to approve the application with the amendment to the S106 agreement in relation to the BNG monitoring fee as outlined with delegated authority to be given to the Director of…”

“Strategic Planning Committee, Tuesday, 2 September 2025 5 Housing and Planning in conjunction with the Chair, to try to ensure that the properties were allocated to local people and this was seconded by Councillor Ball.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted permission with the report’s conditions, affordable housing and primary occupancy obligations, £5,535 coastal mitigation and a BNG monitoring fee.

“RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED for the reasons and with the conditions in the report and as amended above with delegated authority to the Director of Housing and Planning in conjunction with the Chair to try to ensure that the properties were allocated to local people and a S106 agreement securing the following:”

“Affordable housing • Primary occupancy • A financial contribution of £5,535 towards Coastal Mitigation; and • A BNG monitoring fee…”

Minutes