PLANS for an outbuilding have been permitted at a home near Hexham.

A planning application was submitted to Northumberland County Council by an agent from Insight Architectural Design Ltd to create a small outbuilding at River Cottage, West Woodburn, Hexham.

The application was granted planning permission on November 21.

A design and access statement said: "The site is located in a rural location and is bound to the northeast by ‘The Farmhouse’, the southeast by ‘The Byres’ and to the southwest by ‘Redehaugh’. To the west flows the River Rede. Woodland bounds the property to the west."

The statement explained the outbuilding will be used for storage. 

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"The proposed outbuilding will be located in a discrete corner of the rear garden against the northwest/southwest boundary," the statement added. "A 750mm maintenance space will be retained between the outbuilding and boundary wall. Access to the outbuilding will be gained via a door in the southeast elevation. Windows located within the northeast and southeast elevations will offer natural daylight."

Materials proposed for the outbuilding include horizontal timber cladding for the walls, a slate roof, timber fascias, and double-glazed timber windows.

Black UPVC was proposed for the rainwater pipes and gutters.

Birtley Parish Council did not comment on the application and three neighbours were notified of the proposal.

No comments of objection or support were received.

An officer's report said: "There are three dwellings located within the immediate vicinity of the application site, however due to the location of the proposal site, together with the significant amount of screening, it is not considered that the proposal would have any significant detrimental impact upon the residential amenity of these dwellings. Beyond this, there are no nearby residential dwellings within the wider vicinity of the proposal site.

"Overall, it is considered that the proposal is acceptable in regard to the principle of development and its location within the open countryside, together with design and visual impact considerations, and other factors including residential amenity. As such, it is considered that the proposal would directly comply with Policies: QOP 1, QOP 2, and HOU 9 of the Northumberland Local Plan, together with the NPPF, and can be supported."

For more information, go to the council's planning portal and search reference number 24/03329/FUL.