Planning Records
Northumberland Archives holds Local Authority records relating to planning and building control dating back to the second part of the 19th century. Records relating to Hexham date back to 1894 (planning registers) and about 1880 (plans).
From the second part of the 19th century, plans were submitted to Local Authorities for new buildings and where substantive changes were planned to existing buildings. Before any work took place plans had to be approved. This means that the records include register entries and plans for works that did not go ahead. It may be that prior to the date that the property you are researching was built there was an earlier planning submission that was unsuccessful.
It is possible to order either digital or printed copies of plans that you locate.
Pre-1974 Plans
We have started a programme of item listing plans of some of the pre-1975 Northumberland Local Authorities into our electronic catalogue. It is therefore worth making a search of our electronic catalogue for reference to the property name or street.
Give it a go
Make a search of the Northumberland Archives catalogue for references to properties in Rothsay Terrace, Bedlington. You should use the Advanced Search function and enter LBU/G* in the RefNo field and enter Rothesay in the Any Text box.
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Locating Plans
Generally, the first step in locating records relating to your property is to make a search of a register for reference to the property. This sample page from a 20th century Hexham Urban District Council planning register (ref: NRO 03165/1) shows the information provided in a register.
If you are able to locate an item of possible interest, you should make a note of the plan number- the number in the first column of the register and ask staff if they can produce this item for you to look at. You should bear in mind that not all of the plans listed in the planning register have found their way into our care.
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Give it a go
Look for reference to a planning application relating to a property in Eastgate in the planning register. What is the work proposed to take place at the property? Who is the owner of the property? What was the date of approval? What is the number of the plan submitted?
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Names of Architects
This is an example of plans located amongst the records of Hexham Urban District Council (ref: LHU/G/2/Box 4/479 A & B). The plans relate to a proposal to build a villa at Hextol Dene, Hexham and are dated 1902. Note the detail recorded on the plans. It is usual for the architect’s name to be recorded on the plans, in this case, James J. Maxwell of Hexham. It is always worth checking to see if any records of the architect’s practice have been deposited with Northumberland Archives.
Post-1973 Plans
Northumberland County Council has digitised many of the post-1973 plans and placed digital copies on their Planning Portal. The Portal can be searched online at Northumberland County Council – Search, view & comment on planning applications. Northumberland Archives does not hold copies of any of the post-1973 plans listed in the Planning Portal.
Give it a go
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Make a search of the Planning Portal for references to planning applications relating to the Old Grammar School, Hexham. How many applications are there? Locate the application dated 22 July 1988. What does the application refer to? Who submitted the application? Was it successful? Are there plans linked to the application?