Plans proposed for three hundred more houses
A public consultation will be held in October, ahead of plans for a new 300 housing development on the Amble/Warkworth boundary. The development would be built on land at Gloster Hill.
đź“· The site on the Amble/Warkworth boundary would provide 300 new homes. Photo: Anna Williams
The 24.7 hectare site is currently comprised of agricultural land, and is bound by existing homes to the east and south. The town has seen significant house building in recent years, with the Taylor Wimpey proposals being the latest in a long line of large-scale housing developments.
At this stage, only a request for an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion has been submitted and published on the county council’s website, although a pre-application has been submitted but not publicly released.
Documents contained within the report state that it is the applicant’s intention to submit an outline application in “late 2026”.
The proposed development would comprise of “up to 300 residential dwellings” alongside “associated public open space, green infrastructure and pedestrian and cycle connections”. There would also be affordable housing provision in accordance with local planning policy.
The council’s affordable housing policy states that between 10% and 30% of homes on any developments above 10 or more units must be designated as affordable housing. The final figure depends on the value of the area, with the proportion increasing in higher-value areas.
The proposals have already drawn objections from local residents despite the fact a full application is yet to be submitted. On Northumberland County Council’s planning portal, over 100 objections have already been received.
Resident Simon Haigh wrote: “Amble has already experienced substantial housebuilding over the past five years, and as a small town it cannot continue to absorb additional population growth without significant investment in core infrastructure and public services.”
Daniel Holloway added: “The town has grown rapidly in recent years, with the housing developments at Hauxley Grange, Hauxley View and Longstone Manor. Existing schools, health practices and the dental surgery are already under substantial pressure to cope with the increased number of clients.
“Adding 300 houses (at least 600 people) will only increase these pressures to an unsustainable level without significant investment in additional facilities.”
More details on the proposals will be revealed when the application is submitted. A range of “supporting documents” will assess “any potential impact of the proposed development to ensure mitigation measures are implemented if required”.
Between 2014 and 2023, Amble saw 849 new homes built, while hundreds more have been granted planning permission. This includes ongoing developments at Tantallon Parks (480 homes), Hauxley View (166 homes) and Braid Hill (98 homes).
James Robinson
Local Democracy Reporter Service
