The Ambler Online

Dear Ambler,
In September last year, following a three-day public inquiry, a Planning Inspector recommended that the whole of the Braid be registered as a Town Green. Then in January that decision was over-ruled by Northumberland County Council (NCC) on a legal technicality and only two-thirds of the Braid was registered, leaving the western part exposed to possible development. At the beginning of May planning officers from NCC recommended that the application by Northumberland Estates (NE) for a supermarket, housing and access road across the Braid should be refused because of the major adverse impact the access road would have on the Braid and surrounding properties. Now the newly-elected committee has decided at the recent planning meeting to over-rule all the professional advice they had been given and grant approval to the scheme. Something of a trend here...
The argument which has continually been put forward by NE is that the supermarket would regenerate the town, a view shared by many but not everyone. The planning officers were quite clear on the situation:'It is recognised that the development of the site for retail and housing would deliver some significant benefits to the town. However it is officer opinion that these would not override or justify allowing the development as proposed and the resultant harm that would arise to the character and appearance of the area.'
The report to the committee is quite clear: ' The majority of people from the town looking to access the supermarket by car would need to drive out of Amble around the periphery before accessing the Braid and then heading back in towards the town centre. This is not considered to be an entirely appropriate or sustainable form of development, and it is not in the best interests of good planning for the site or the town.
Creating the main vehicular access to serve the development across the Braid would introduce significant volumes of traffic over an area of open space that experiences very little traffic flow in comparison at present, and that would change the overall nature and use of the Braid, and harm the character and appearance of the Braid and the surrounding area and the amenity of surrounding residents.'
So why didn't the senior NCC planning officer present at the meeting fight harder to persuade committee members to follow his officers' advice on such an important aspect of town planning when he could see that the vote was about to slip away from him? Surely it couldn't have anything to do with the fact that, in order for the access road to be built, NE would have to buy the land from (yes you guessed) NCC... So you have a situation where the County Council who allow a planning approval to go ahead (contravening no less than ten saved planning policies) will benefit to the tune of several million pounds when the scheme is eventually built.
As one of the residents of Rivergreen, who between them have so far spent over £20,000 of our own money to protect the Braid for the future benefit of everyone in Amble. We have always recognised that if the supermarket and access road does go ahead the people who will be most affected will be those closest to the development on the edge of town, in places such as North Street and North View. The sight of some of these residents leaving the planning meeting in tears when a well-known former councillor came out laughing will stay with me for a long time.

Roger Armsden,
Rivergreen, Amble

Dear Ambler,
The planning committee of the County Council approved the application for a supermarket and houses on the land between the Gut and North Street in May, and for access via a road running behind Rivergreen, then following the line of the Gut and crossing it just before the present foot bridge.
My opinion is that Amble needs a supermarket and from a couple of surveys carried out I believe that many residents agree with that opinion. A survey in the early part of last year indicated that about 30% of shoppers were doing their main shop out of Amble (mainly Asda, Blyth) and that this percentage was increasing. Since that survey, home deliveries have increased. We need to encourage people of Amble and its hinterland to shop locally. Some of the businesses on Queen Street have expressed support.
But where should it be? A consultant’s report commissioned by Alnwick District Council a few years ago, advised that such a supermarket should be as close to Queen Street as possible, as this would encourage visitors to wander into Queen Street, supporting its viability as a trading centre. This happens, for example, in Hexham. Another survey asked residents which they thought a most suitable site for a supermarket – Braid Hill or the industrial estate. Of the replies, 40% preferred the industrial estate, 60% preferred Braid Hill.
I feel I must explain here that any council is unable to build a supermarket anywhere. If somebody applies for permission to build on a particular site, the council can give or refuse permission. If nobody applies, the council can do nothing.
So, back to the Braid. It is only the road which will use up land on the Braid and the land designated for a village green will remain for public use in perpetuity and will not be affected. I have noticed that very few people use this part of the Braid and since the access road will be screened with trees and bushes, the remaining area could become more popular. Compare it with the car parking and grassed area on the Warkworth side of the Marina access road.
What has been given is outline planning approval. Northumberland Estates and the planning department will now resolve any differences in the detail. Following this a detailed planning application will be submitted. This could be plans drawn up by a supermarket operator, or their agent. Northumberland Estates are being very coy about who it might be.
So when are things likely to happen? The industry’s rule of thumb says that from the date of detailed planning approval to the day when the doors open for trading can be about two years. A while yet, then.

Ian Hinson,
Eastgarth Ave, Amble

The Braid and Village Green law

Dear Ambler,
I am grateful to The Ambler for allowing me to try to summarise the recent decision by the Council to register part of the Braid as a village green. The Council had to wear two hats, one as an affected landowner and secondly as the Registration Authority who had to decide the application under the current legislation.
There was never any dispute that the inhabitants of Amble (and others) had used the area of land north of The Gut for playing with children and walking dogs since it was restored some years ago.
The question of whether to register that land as a village green (or not) came down to a decision on a point of law. "Did, as a matter of law, the public use The Braid with or without permission from either Alnwick District Council or Northumberland County Council?" If there had been "no permission" then the registration as a village green would have gone ahead. As far as I am aware, this particular point of law has not yet been debated in the Courts and so we had no decided cases to assist us.
After taking advice from a leading expert on registration of village greens, the Council (as the registration authority) decided that the area of The Braid owned by Alnwick District Council could only be owned by that council for public recreation purposes and therefore the public were deemed to be using it with permission. For that reason, the Council refused to register that part as a village green.
Part of The Braid was owned by the County Council. Here it was not clear that the County Council were holding the land for public recreation. It followed that the public were using it without permission and it was registered as a village green. The area owned by Northumberland Estates was more straight-forward, at least in legal terms.
This is only a very brief summary and the full set of reports including the advice from the QC are available on the County Council's website:
www3.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillor/Meeting.asp?MID=257&Ret=T8888
I have also treated the ownerships as they were before local government reorganisation on 1 April 2009.

Stephen Rickitt
Principal Solicitor, Northumberland County Council

Research shows support

Dear Ambler,
We are delighted with the decision of Northumberland County Council to support the development, which will have a vital role to play in the regeneration of Amble. We firmly believe that a food store in this location will encourage residents to shop in Amble rather than driving further afield as they currently do, whilst also bringing new visitors to the town.
Our research has shown excellent local support for this scheme not only because it will improve the retail offer within the town, but it will also create much needed employment opportunities, generating in the region of 100 full and part time jobs in Amble.
Discussions between The Northumberland Estates and the Council’s planning department resulted in a number of changes and improvements to the original outline planning application submitted back in January 2008. Following the Village Green decision, the suggested location of the access road will continue to skirt the outer edge of the Braid, leaving the vast majority of the site unaffected to continue its role as an open space for recreational use.
Following the planning approval we are now in discussions with a number of national food store operators and are progressing with the detailed design of the scheme.

Barry Spall MRTPI
Development Planner
The Northumberland Estates

Town looks run down

Dear Ambler,
My name is Ian and I used to come to Amble every year for family holidays, as we had a caravan there. I now live in West Sussex and have done so for 28 years. I am 48 years old, and returned to Amble last year and stayed at the Harbour Guest House, which was good value for money.
I noticed lots of changes around the area. The Harbour looked better but I noticed the decline of the fishing fleet which saddened me a great deal as I loved to watch the trawlers come home, it’s such a shame. The fishermen were so kind, I remember they gave some of their catch to us as children.
However I do not agree with the agreed development of a supermarket on the Braid, although Amble could do with it. The town itself had not changed much, but I found it to be looking a bit run down. The very best thing about Amble is the locals, they are so friendly and that has never changed over the years.

Kind regards,
Ian Banks, via email

Life will be unbearable

Dear Ambler,
I have lived in and around Amble for 40 years. I have defended it many times against its detractors. My house is a lovely old stone house with views to Warkworth Castle, the Braid, the estuary and the sea. Contrary to what Mrs Jones says, High Street is quite a busy, lively street, with buses, school children, all the residents of ‘the Top End’ passing up and down.
Now, not only is a supermarket and 49 houses to be built at the bottom of my garden, but an Italian restaurant is to be built next door. I will be sharing a wall with a Bar, a Pizza Oven, a Dining Area, a kitchen. The kitchen extension will be perched on top of my ancient and crumbling yard walls.
The wagons, the noise, the smells, the lights will make my life unbearable as there is no parking for this restaurant. My house will be seriously devalued by this as will the whole street.
An empty café is not 50 yards away in Queen Street, and the perfect site for a Super Market is the Industrial Estate.
I no longer look forward to more happy years in Amble. What a shame, destroying the quality of life for everyone in the nicest street in Amble.

Yours sincerely
Anne M Potts
51 High Street, Amble

Save The Ambler!

Dear Ambler,
I'm responding to your request for views on 'The Ambler'. I just wanted to say that I find it an informative and enjoyable read and I think it encourages a feeling of being part of a community. I know that people of all ages read it - my late father, who often visited Amble, used to look forward to his copy. My teenage children always read it and tell me their friends also do so.
If it saved costs I would be happy to pick up a copy from the Post Office or library but don't think fewer issues would be helpful- it would lose its sense of continuity. Perhaps an 'honesty box' could be provided- I would be happy to pay for a copy but people should perhaps be allowed to pay what they wish.
Although I like the tone, I think a more youthful audience might think it sometimes verges towards nostalgia. Interviews with local people who are currently doing interesting things might be useful. 'The Ambler' might also be a good forum to set up informal networks so that people in Amble can help out each other - for example, when I go shopping I could easily pick up items for someone who is finding it difficult to get out.
Thank you for all your efforts, and I hope 'The Ambler' is able to go from strength to strength.

Larraine Duquemin, via email

Dear Ambler,
Regarding the future of The Ambler. I enjoy reading this paper very much and hopefully it won’t be discontinued. Paper and printing are costly, I myself would pay a charge for every copy. Delivery to each house in Amble is excellent.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs L. Dunn, Allison Street, Amble

Dear Ambler,
Apart from providing a first rate community newspaper The Ambler offers other exciting opportunities for individual and group development. Under the enthusiastic support of the editor, Anna Williams, The Ambler is produced by volunteers from Amble’s diverse range of inhabitants. Younger people create the Artograffi pages and animated items for the internet. More senior members are actively involved in reporting local news and events in writing and photographs. The team of volunteers also contributes to the layout of The Ambler. In addition, the challenging task of seeking new and repeat advertising is an essential component to keeping the Ambler alive. A by-product of advertising is the immensely sensitive task of seeking essential payment from advertisers who also may be experiencing financially turbulent times - as is The Ambler.
Perhaps a less acknowledged range of services provided by the editor are the various workshops for children and adults. I became involved as a volunteer following a series of really helpful, friendly and fun workshops about how a community newspaper is produced. Many other people have attended similar workshops over the years.
In addition to becoming an Ambler volunteer I have also used the skills, knowledge and experience gained in a multi-media DVD project with a registered charity called CONTACT (Morpeth Mental Health Group). The final report for this project was produced in the form of a newspaper.
So I would like to express my personal thanks to Anna and her team of volunteers for their encouragement and support as well as tea and biscuits.

Yours sincerely,
Colin Westerman, Acklington Rd., Amble

Ray: King of keepers!

Dear Ambler,
I feel compelled to write to you after reading an article about your columnist Ray King in the Evening Chronicle.I too had the privilege of watching Ray play in goal for Newcastle United back in the 1940s.
The comedian (actor) Terry-Thomas was absolutely right when he said Ray had more arms than an octopus; he caught the ball with one hand with no gloves on, even with a wet ball kicked the length of the pitch with ease – what would he do with the ‘toy’ ball that they play with today?
My wife and I enjoy reading The Ambler and hope it continues to flourish – we are sure your readers in Amble will contribute to a good cause. They should also be proud of Ray King – King of keepers, Long may he reign!

Our good wishes,
Alf and Sue Allen,
Burnopfield, Denton Burn, Tyne and Wear

Stephenson Road name

Dear Ambler,
I'm doing a school project on George and Robert Stephenson and I wonder if you or your readers might know if Stephenson Road is named after them, and if it is why?
Thanks for your time, and help in advance

Laura Maddison, lmadd_is@hotmail.com

Amble: The Movie

Dear Ambler,
People might think that Amble is light-years away from the glamour and glitz of big budget Hollywood blockbuster movies and they’d be right! It’s a good thing too. I’ll take the simple folk of the friendliest port over the demanding and spoilt divas of tinsel town any day. However I don’t think I’m alone when I imagine what a big shot movie mogul would make of our town. Just imagine Amble: The Movie featuring Keanu Reeves as superstar Ray King and the kids from Fame dancing their way out of Coquet High. I’m sure your readers have their own ideas about which parts of Amble should be immortalised on celluloid or maybe even cellophane!

All the best
R.Lafemme, via email

Harry Brook's bus service

Dear Ambler,
I am currently researching people within the transport industry from years gone by. There was a Mr. Harry Brook who ran a bus service in Amble in the early 1920s under the name of Amble and District, and I am wondering if someone may be able to throw light on this subject.

Regards,
Phil Thoms, philthoms@btinternet.com

The views expressed in The Ambler and The AmblerOnline are not necessarily the views of the Editorial Team.
The Ambler is a project of Amble Development Trust