Concerns raised over plan to demolish and replace Alnmouth home on riverside site
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Alnmouth Parish Council has expressed concerns about a plan for the property on Riverside Road.
They plan to replace it with a four-bedroom permanent residence with views towards the Aln estuary.
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Hide AdCoun Ed Williams said: “The design seems completely out of character for that area of the village. It looks more like a Spanish villa than anything on the riverside.”
Coun Nora Dymock added: “It will stand out like a sore thumb and spoil the outline of the village when viewed from the railway.”
Chairman Shaun Whyte admitted: “I have slight reservations about the scale and design of the property. It’s effectively an extra storey on the existing house.”
However, Coun Hilda Blythe said: “I love the design. There are a lot of new builds going up in the village and the plans for Estuary Drive have just been passed.”
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Hide AdShe also felt the park and trees in front of the property would protect the view from the railway.
Coun John Wilson added: “I am in favour of it. If it was on Northumberland Street I would have objections about it being out of character but I don’t think it’s out of place there.”
The existing property was built in 1964 with an ‘upside down’ design to make the most of the views from a first floor lounge.
Its proposed replacement retains that concept but would be 369sq m compared to 218sq m.
The plan has been proposed by Gary and Carolyn Cunningham.
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Hide AdMrs Cunningham, speaking at the council’s meeting held virtually on Zoom, said: “It wasn’t an easy decision to decide to demolish the house but it became clear that to get a sustainable and efficient home of the highest standards was not going to be possible within the confines of the building that’s there.
“Clearly, given the plans that were passed for Estuary Drive, there were lots of options for the site but our proposal is to build a one-for-one replacement of a much-loved family home and end up with an updated version of the current four bedroomed house that makes the best use of the site.”
Councillors voted 6-3 to object and send their concerns to Northumberland County Council.