MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 14 JULY 2026
THOSE ATTENDING:
Cllr H Allsopp (Chairman)
Cllr K Burn
Cllr A Cottrell
Cllr J Rowell
Cllr L Watson
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs A Brindley, Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer, Mr D Iley FO, Mr R Delap OM
AGENDA PART 1
PLC01/26 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr M Jackson, Cllr D FitzGerald, prior engagements
PLC02/26 2. DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER REGISTERABLE INTEREST(s)
No Declarations
PLC03/26 3. APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN FOR 2026/27
Cllr Hilary Allsop was elected as Chairman.
PLC04/26 4. APPOINTMENT OF A VICE CHAIRMAN FOR 2026/27
Cllr Lynne Watson was elected as Vice Chairman
PLC05/26 5. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
No questions
PLC06/26 6. REVIEW OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE
Members approved the terms of reference.
PLC07/26 7. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
It was noted that the minutes of the previous meeting had been presented to the Parish Council and members approved the minutes.
PLC08/28 8. MATTERS ARISING
The Parish Clerk confirmed that the planning application had not yet been decided nor has the date for the application to be considered been made public.
PLC09/26 9. TO CONSIDER AND MAKE COMMENT ON SIGNIFICANT PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Parish Councils do not have the power to grant or refuse planning permission but may submit comments to the planning authority (Northumberland County Council). Under consideration is planning application 26/02160/OUTES Land North West Of High Brocklands Brock Lane West Sleekburn Northumberland
Outline planning permission, with all matters reserved except access, for a Data Centre facility (Use Class B8) totalling up to 356,500sqm gross internal area with ancillary power generation (up to 49.9MW), including Data Centre buildings, ancillary offices, substations, power plant, emergency generators, and associated site infrastructure, landscape, engineering and drainage works.
Members noted that the application was for outline planning permission and the Parish Clerk provided an explanation of the application . 26/02160/OUTES is an outline planning application seeking permission, with all matters reserved except access, for the development of a Data Centre facility. This means that the Planning Authority is being asked to determine only whether the principle of the proposed development is acceptable on the site and to approve the proposed means of access.
The detailed design of the development, including its appearance, layout, scale, and landscaping, would be the subject of one or more future applications should outline planning permission be granted.
Consequently, the Parish Council’s comments on this application should focus on the principle of development, the proposed access arrangements, and any other material planning considerations that are relevant at the outline application stage.
Members discussed the application taking into account:
- Scale of the development
- Protection of the natural environment
- Capacity of local infrastructure to accommodate the development in combination with existing outline planning permission for Cambois Data Centre.
- Potential effects on residents and their environment
- Need for high-quality, well-paid employment opportunities
- Lack of information regarding prospective end users of the site.
- Outline planning request was too broad to consider likely impacts.
RESOLVED: To object to planning application 26/02160/OUTES. The Parish Clerk was requested to reflect the Council’s concerns when commenting on the application.
There being no further matters requiring consideration the meeting concluded at 10.10am
Chairman………………………………………………………..Dated……………………