Application for new apartments in Morpeth

Plans have been submitted for a development of 18 apartments on a 0.65 hectare site in Morpeth.
An artist's impression of the proposed 18 apartments at a site in Morpeth.An artist's impression of the proposed 18 apartments at a site in Morpeth.
An artist's impression of the proposed 18 apartments at a site in Morpeth.

The scheme is earmarked for open land south of King Edward VI School, north of South Terrace and to the east of Cottingwood Lane.

Northumberland-based Ashford Residential Ltd is the developer, with JDDK Architects and the Newcastle office of national planning and development consultancy Lichfields appointed to the project.

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The apartments – a mix of three-bedroom and two-bedroom – are designed as a pair of two-storey, pavilion-style buildings set within shared landscaped gardens.

They would be named The Willows and Beechfield, after two mid-19th Century properties that were recently demolished in the town.

Lichfields says the development would support 50 construction jobs and boost the local economy by more than £7million.

Ashford Residential director Chris Carlisle said: “This is an exciting development and one which has been carefully designed to respect, and assimilate with, the stylish ambience of the surrounding neighbourhood.”

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The north building would comprise of 10 apartments and a further eight are earmarked for the east building.

They would be accessed by a new entrance from Cottingwood Lane.

All the apartments would have access to private outdoor space in the form of either a private patio, balcony or roof terrace.

Following a public consultation in January, the developers have included a communal garden on surplus land for neighbouring residents, to the end of South Terrace, which they say reflects their commitment to working positively with the local community.

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Each apartment would be allocated two parking spaces, including one electric vehicle charging point.

All allocated parking would be provided underground, maximising the landscape quality of the grounds.

Lifts would be provided in each of the two buildings to service all apartments. There would be a further 10 visitor spaces and 36 secure cycle bays.

Lichfields’ planning director, Alastair Willis, said: “This is a fantastic development, adopting the high-quality design principles and reflecting the scale and character of the surrounding streets.

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“The design team has worked together for more than two years to achieve a scheme which is befitting of the site and surrounding area, delivering a positive addition to the Morpeth townscape.”

McCarthy & Stone had applied to build retirement living housing on land south of King Edward VI School in 2012 and there were hundreds of objections by local residents, with opposition to the plans co-ordinated by the Cottingwood Lane Residents' Action Group.

It was refused by Northumberland County Council an appeal was dismissed by planning inspector Anthony Lyman in 2013.

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