The first house in a row of self-build plots on a hillside above Rothbury has been given the go-ahead.
Northumberland Estates' outline bid for the nine homes, on land south of Hillside Road West, was approved in November 2016 and now the application for the details of one of the houses - a three-bedroom property - has been approved.
It went before last Thursday's, March 21, North Northumberland Local Area Council as the ward member, Coun Steven Bridgett, had called it in over concerns about visual amenity and design, while the scheme has attracted one objection over the use of timber cladding on the first floor.
However, the committee heard that this call-in had been withdrawn at late notice, with councillors proceeding to back the plans unanimously.
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The applicants, a couple from Southend in Essex, were nonetheless present at the meeting to support their proposals.
Jane Davis explained that they wanted to have 'minimal environmental impact' and that wood was chosen for the upper floor because it will 'blend in better with the external landscape'.
"The road has a number of different house types, with stone in the minority," she added.
Coun Guy Renner-Thompson said: "I compliment the applicants for coming all the way from Essex, it's a shame the local member couldn't come all the way from Rothbury."
Coun Robbie Moore, who moved approval, added: "I actually think it's a really good design."
Coun Catherine Seymour said it would be interesting to see what happens with the other plots, because 'you won't get that cookie-cutter approach'.
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