Plans to extend Blink Bonny pub given the green light

The proposals, which also included the demolition of an existing conservatory at the Blink Bonny Hotel in Christon Bank, had been recommended for refusal by planners.

But at Thursday’s meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council, members agreed to grant permission following impassioned pleas from councillors.

Speaking at the meeting, Embleton Parish Councillor David Cooper explained the hotel was the village’s last remaining community space.

He said: “The Embleton Neighbourhood Plan identified three assets of community value in Christon Bank – The Blink Bonny, the village shop, and the post office.

“The village shop and post has closed, and the Methodist Church is in danger. This leaves the bar as the only accessible community space.

“If this is approved, the parish could continue to be a thriving place to live and visit. Embleton Parish Council strongly supports this application and believes it will provide more employment and facilities for both tourists and local inhabitants.”

Supporter Thomas Finch explained that the hotel currently only had a small bar area and that the business’s future would be safeguarded by the approval of the plans.

Council planners had recommended the plans for refusal due to the “design, scale and massing” of the scheme and said it would “significantly detract from the character and distinctiveness of the existing building.” However, no letters of objections had been received by the council.

Local ward member Coun Wendy Pattison argued: “Christon Bank has 1,500 residents at the last census. The shop is now closed, and the post office. The bus was withdrawn about three years ago.

“All they have is the Blink Bonny and it is the most wonderful pub. When we say warm spaces this is a warm space – it is tremendous.

“If we can bring tourism and jobs into the village, that can only be a good thing.”

The plans were approved by seven votes to three.