Arts hub £28m revamp plan approved

The Maltings in Berwick will include a theatre and two cinemas

A major redevelopment of England's most northern arts venue has been approved after years of waiting.

Councillors in Northumberland have approved an overhaul of The Maltings in Berwick to create a large cultural and entertainment complex in the heart of the town.

Planning permission for the £28.4m development was granted by the county council's strategic planning committee on Tuesday.

But the revamp of the venue has proved divisive with a petition signed by more than 1,000 people who called for a rethink of the plans.

Dr Julian Smart, who started the petition, warned that the Maltings redevelopment could be "Berwick's Sycamore Gap moment".

He expressed concerns that the expanded theatre will damage picturesque views of Berwick and set a "dangerous precedent" for future development in the conservation area.

Heritage bodies the Victorian Society and the Georgian Group also had concerns about the proposals for the building, which was developed in the remains of a 19th century granary that was destroyed by a fire.

Dr Julian Smart said the theatre will damage views of Berwick

Councillors heard how the new theatre will accommodate an expanded number of attractions including a new main theatre space, two cinema screens, a rehearsal studio, improved front and back of house facilities and further community spaces.

Nicole Brooke, of Reform UK, said she backed it "not because it is perfect but because I believe in its potential", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Conservative representative John Beynon called it "probably the most ugly building I have ever seen", but Labour's Caroline Ball said she loved the design.

Council leader Glen Sanderson said he is confident it will be a "hugely popular cultural venue" and boost the economy.

Concerns were also raised about a loss of funding for the project if it did not go ahead, after seven years of work up to this point.

The bulk of the money for the scheme is coming from the government-funded Borderlands Deal for Northumberland, with the county council also putting in £2.9m.

Ros Lamont, CEO of Maltings (Berwick) Trust, said he was "absolutely delighted" the plans had been approved.