Victory for Campaigners as Car park Plan Withdrawn

A campaign which protested against the proposal to introduce a car park at the Tweedmouth Bridge End has won its fight. Northumberland County Council has withdrawn its current application for the site at the former Robertson Memorials location.
‘I am delighted that Northumberland County Council has withdrawn the application for a second time,’ said campaigner Clare Raybould, ‘and hope that the strength of opposition from residents of Berwick and the Borders, as well as further afield, will deter the Council from resubmitting for a third time.
‘I am so grateful to everyone who signed the petitions, spread the word and distributed leaflets.
‘People have been very supportive and I am happy and relieved that this has been decided before Christmas. Now we can enjoy the festivities and look forward to the Bridge reopening next year with it’s centuries old setting intact.’
The campaign started up in August when Tweedmouth residents Clare Raybould and John Wilson became aware that plans were emerging to put a 40+ space on the site of the former Robertson Memorials business which was vacated in 2022.
As previously reported in The Bridge, Mr Wilson had become aware of the plan only because he saw works being carried out at the site in 2022.
‘There were no planning papers put up near the location,’ said Mr Wilson, ‘and when one did appear it was in a location which made it impossible to read. There isn’t enough consultation in the town with the people.’
‘I think this whole objection was driven by a handful of us and word was put out and petitions put together and so on.
‘I think it’s important for the people of Berwick to stand up because we brought something to their attention that they didn’t know about. But people don’t know how to go about it, if not for Julian and Clare who know their way around these things I wouldn’t have known where to start. So if something is happening most people don’t know how to go about investigating something like this.
‘First and foremost, people aren’t informed and that has to improve.’
Since the premises were vacated at least three businesses have sought permission to lease the site. These include a sculptor studio, an architectural salvage yard with café and a seafood restaurant. All three were refused permission by the landlord, the Harbour Commission.
Councillor Georgina Hill is NCC Councillor for the area and sits as a Harbour Commissioner. The Bridge awaits a comment from Cllr Hill on the decision to withdraw the application.
Stephen Scott, Chair of Berwick Chamber of Trade and Commerce, was also approached for comment on the decision and this will be published once received.