Re-Consultation – Updated Proposed Residential Development, and the Relocation/Reconstruction of Guide Post Working Men’s Club, and Co-Op Food Store on Land South of High Street, Guide Post
Above: Indicative Residential/ Commercial Elevations (For Illustrative Purposes Only)
Hedley Planning Services (HPS), acting as agent, are preparing a planning application, on behalf of Dysart Developments Limited for up to 310 no. new residential dwellings, with a new Cooperative Food Store and Working Men’s Club premises.
Previous Consultation Exercise
In Autumn/Winter 2024, a public consultation exercise was completed – allowing members of the public to provide views on the development of the site and specifics of a comparable proposal for approx. 300 dwellings and a new Cooperative Food Store and Working Men’s Club premises. The public consultation exercise consisted of the following:
- A website page was set up by Hedley Planning Services, providing information about the site the proposals, the in-person consultation event (as discussed below), a link to the online survey, images of the information boards, and contact details for HPS
- A survey, to ascertain feedback, was set up on the website ‘Mailchimp’. At the in-person consultation (discussed below), residents were encouraged to submit responses to the survey either online, or via printed survey provided by the applicant (a printed copy of the online questions). Responses could also be sent by post/email. It was made clear all feedback should be received before 5 December 2024.
- On the 27 October 2024, 1000no. flyers were delivered to the nearest residents, including those most likely to be impacted by the proposal. The flyers primarily served to invite residents to the in-person consultation and provided a link to the online survey and website. Full address and event details were included on the flyer.
- On the 7 November 2024; between 15:00 and 19:00, a public consultation event, hosted by the Applicant was held. The purpose of the public consultation event was to present the proposed development as well as provide an opportunity for local residents to ask questions of the Project Team in-person.
Design Updates
Above: Indicative Layout (For Illustrative Purposes Only)
Based on the outcomes of the previous engagement exercises (199 completed surveys and discussions with the project team at the November 2024 consultation event); the project team have further developed the proposal to include changes to the general layout and appearance of the site to reflect and incorporate feedback, for example we note the following:
You Said: You wanted greater separation distances between existing and proposed housing
We Did: We have revised the proposed layout to include greater separation between existing and proposed housing to the north of the site, particularly along Coleridge Drive, with an area of open, landscaped space proposed between the dwellings.
You Said: You wanted more open green space to be retained
We Did: As discussed, to the north east of the site, an area of public open space is proposed between the existing and proposed dwellings. This will be landscaped to enhance visual amenity. Additionally, the proposed SUDs south of the site have been redesigned from two smaller detention basins to much one larger basin. This area will be landscaped, allowing a larger area of green space to the south east of the site.
You Said: You expressed concerns about the western boundary of the site, and the potential of overlooking existing rear gardens.
We Did: The outline scheme has been adjusted to remove proposed two storey dwellings along the western boundary replacing these with single storey bungalows and deeper gardens
Proposed Development
As was the case in 2024, the vision for the site is to provide high quality housing with a focus on high quality design.
Key principles to deliver our vision include:
- Open space, including play areas and substantial landscape planting.
- The green space will provide opportunities for play and informal recreation while incorporating active walking routes and connections to existing footpaths.
- New Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS).
- Newly accessible, modernised, and more efficient Working Men’s Club, providing an improved community event venue.
- Larger Co-op food store, to offer better choice and service to the local community.
- Affordable housing will be provided on-site, in compliance with policy requirements.
- Parking for residents and visitors will be provided across the site.
- Replacement of existing allotment land at the Working Men’s Club.
Feedback
Your views are important and will continue to be valuable as the planning application progresses.
We have also opened another survey, so residents can provide thoughts and feedback. The feedback will be collated and shared with the team who will consider matters accordingly.
Alternatively, please provide feedback by –
Email: Rachel@hedleyplanning.co.uk
Post: Hedley Planning Services, Unit 3, Hexham Enterprise Hub, Burn Lane, Hexham, NE46 3HY
We respectfully request that feedback is returned by 15 February 2026, after which the survey will close.
