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A scheme for hundreds of new homes in Bedlington has been given the nod once again, despite concerns about the linked package of infrastructure improvements. The outline application, for up to 500 homes on land south-west of Glebe Farm, off Choppington Road, was first approved last year, but there were several outstanding issues to iron out. These have now been dealt with, but given that the Government issued a new version of its planning rules - the NPPF - in the summer, the bid was brought back to this month's meeting of Northumberland County Council's strategic planning committee. The planning officers' advice hadn't changed and the scheme was still recommended for approval, with members voting to grant permission by 10 votes to two, with one abstention. Earlier in the meeting, Coun Christine Taylor, of West Bedlington Town Council, had raised fears about the site access from Choppington Road, where 'traffic numbers are increasing regularly' and another new development is planned a mile up the road. One of the issues dealt with since the previous approvals was the section 106 legal agreement, which will secure 15 per cent affordable housing, a £1.33million education contribution, £346,500 for healthcare and £229,000 for sports and leisure.

A man has appeared in court accused of a string of driving offences after a bus and car crashed in Byker. Four people had to be taken to hospital after a single decker Stagecoach bus and a silver Renault car collided on Clifford Street at around 8.50am on Tuesday. A 26-year-old woman is believed to be in a serious condition and is being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. Andre Langley has been charged with driving a motor vehicle when above the alcohol limit, careless driving without due care and attention, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop after a road accident. The 24-year-old, of Molineux Court, Heaton, Newcastle, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He was remanded in custody before his next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on December 12.

Work on the multimillion-pound redevelopment of Bedlington town centre, which is estimated will create more than 180 new jobs, has officially started.

Two men are due in court after a 19-year-old was allegedly stabbed in Newcastle. Stanhope Street, in Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, was cordoned off in the early hours of Sunday morning after police were called following reports that a 19-year-old had been assaulted on the street. Ambulances, police cars and forensics officers were spotted by early risers as the investigation got under way. The injured man was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary with injuries consistent with a stabbing. His condition is described as stable. Police launched an investigation and, at around 4am on Sunday morning, arrested two men aged 21 and 23. They have since been charged and are scheduled to appear at Bedlington Magistrates' Court on Monday afternoon.

A police investigation is under way after a shocking video emerged of a bouncer allegedly assaulting a teenage girl in a Newcastle nightclub. Lauryn Parker claims she was left bruised after a bouncer repeatedly kneed her on a flight of stairs in Perdu. The 19-year-old said the incident has left her too "scared" to have a night out in the city. Perdu sacked the bouncer after footage of the incident was viewed by more than 350,000 people on Facebook. Now, Northumbria Police has launched an investigation into the incident. A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “We can confirm officers are investigating a report of an assault at a premises on Collingwood Street in Newcastle on Wednesday (October 31).

A bouncer has been sacked after a shocking clip emerged of him allegedly assaulting a teenage girl in Perdu. Lauryn Parker, 19, claims a burly bouncer left her bruised and battered after repeatedly KNEEING her in the Diamond Strip nightspot. She was celebrating Halloween dressed as a bunny when the alleged attack unfolded. A Facebook clip of the incident has already been viewed over 365,000 times and Lauryn claims: "I'm too scared to go out in Newcastle now. "I've got bruises, grab marks on my arm and what looks like shoeprints on my legs. "I keep thinking it could have been a lot worse. He was just so strong and wouldn't stop."

A former lieutenant colonel, who grew up in the Bedlington area, has been included on a list of the UK’s most ambitious business leaders.

A Bedlington fundraiser is aiming to help people with sight loss.

A key Bedlington town centre development has reached an important milestone as Tolent Construction Ltd has been appointed the main contractor.

A North East MP has demanded the "immediate scrapping" of controversial benefit Universal Credit. The system will worsen child poverty, increase homelessness and even lead to people taking their own lives, Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery has claimed. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned the country could face "chaos" similar to the poll tax riots if the national roll out continues, in the Daily Mirror today, He branded the welfare reforms a "cruel and vindictive" experiment that will exacerbate the "convulsions" of Brexit and risk public disorder. The Government says the reforms ensure working is worthwhile for claimants and simplifies the benefits system. But opponents believe it leaves claimants worse-off, and creates delays which leave people waiting for much-needed cash. Now, Labour Party Chair Ian Lavery has called for an end to Universal Credit, predicting dire consequences for Northumberland if the roll out goes head.

A residential site development offering new, high-quality homes for affordable rent in Bedlington has been completed.

News that pub giant Wetherspoon is to host a 12-day ale and cider festival will be bringing a smile to the faces of customers this autumn. From October 10 to 21, 10 of the company's pubs in and around Newcastle will be inviting customers to enjoy a Real Ale & Cider Festival - and with a selection of up to 30 beers on offer from independent British craft brewers, there certainly will be plenty to enjoy. Each of the brewers involved is a member of the Society of Independent Brewers and some of the beers to be served will be award-winners while others are brewed exclusively for the festival. Kristopher Lee, manager of The Quayside Wetherspoon branch in Newcastle, said: "The festival is the perfect opportunity to showcase the wonderful range of beers from independent British craft brewers. "It will give people the opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of the beers that they brew, many of which have not been served in the pub before." Ales on offer will include Blueberry Classic Bitter, from Coach House; Jurassic Dark (Dorset), Jemima's Pitchfork (Glamorgan), Freddy Brewger (Robinsons), Hope & Glory (Brentwood), Hop Twister (Salopian), Big Job (St Austell) and Wheel of Fortune (Castle Rock).

Northumberland County Council today confirmed that they will build a stand-alone leisure centre in Berwick, separate to the planned new hospital. Councillor Peter Jackson, Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “The feedback from the people of Berwick is clear - they don’t want a co-located site - and we’re acting on that. “We’re fully committed to making sure Berwick gets the very best, and I have promised that the County Council will build a brand new state of the art leisure facility on the Swan Centre site. We will keep our promise, and continue to listen to our residents through the planning stages.” This announcement replaces previous plans for a joint site. Integrated and coordinated working will proceed where appropriate, but all the services will not be co-located on one site. This followed strong representations by the three Berwick county councillors and the wider community. Following requests by the three local councillors, additional investment is also being considered for a potential extra care development alongside the new hospital. This would support provision of services to vulnerable and older people in Berwick. Peter Jackson added: “After 50 years of inaction in Berwick, there will be £45 million invested in the town – our own investment of £20 million in a brand new state of the art leisure centre, and £25 million has been passed onto the Northumbria Healthcare Trust.”

Concerned police are appealing for help to find a missing Romanian woman who went missing from her Bedlington home. Maria Stoica was reported missing in the early hours of Wednesday morning and officers are urgently appealing for help to find her. A Northumbria Police statement said: "Officers in Bedlington are concerned for the welfare of Maria Stoica...who has been reported missing from her home in the town since the early hours." Maria is Romanian and speaks very little English, the statement adds. The 36-year-old is described as 5ft tall, of thin build with shoulder-length light-brown hair and tanned skin. She was last seen early on the morning of October 3 and was wearing a two-tone blue coat with a hood and black leggings.

A troubled teenager spat in a police officer’s face the day after her mum’s funeral as “emotions were running high”, a court heard. Charlie Toner, 19, assaulted the officer in Newcastle when police were called out to a racially aggravated incident on July 24. Bedlington Magistrates’ Court heard that a man who lived on Beaconsfield Street called police in the early hours of the morning reporting that he was being abused by two occupants of a neighbouring house. When they arrived, Toner is said to have used racially aggravated language saying to the officer: “Tell the p**i downstairs to f*** off.” Prosecutor Rebecca Gibson said Toner then spat in the policeman’s face hitting his cheek and chin. Toner admitted the assault and public order offence on Friday as well as one charge of being in possession of the class B drug Spice at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in January.

The Independent candidate was the emphatic winner of last Thursday’s by-election for the vacant seat in the West Bedlington Town Council Central ward.

Bobbies who brought down a slave master and a PCSO who helped snare a rapist have been recognised at a glittering police awards ceremony. Northumbria Police’s officers were honoured at the force’s Pride in Policing Awards on Tuesday night. The Chronicle sponsored the top gong, the Outstanding Contribution Award, which was awarded to veteran bobby PC James Desmond. The long-serving officer was nominated for his efforts to “humanise” policing for mental health staff and patients in his role as Hospital Liaison Officer ar Newcastle’s St Nicholas’ Hospital. PC Desmond, who is due to retire next month, also picked up another gong at the awards - having won 40% of the public’s vote in the Outstanding Contribution category. Chief Constable Winton Keenen said: “Occasions such as this are truly humbling – I’m honoured to be able to showcase the outstanding work carried out by our officers, staff and volunteers.

They are the people and places we rely on whether we want to look the part for a special occasion or just enjoy some 'me time' and there were plenty of winners at the first ever North East Beauty Industry Awards on Sunday night. With a whole host of awards up for grabs to rival even The Grammys in number, competition was fierce, as were the outfits as nominees dressed to impress for the awards dinner held at The Grand Hotel in Gosforth. The awards seek to recognise and reward the growth of the beauty sector and the success of the professionals working within it, from dentists and doctors to hair and beauty businesses, teams and clinics. Therefore, the awards acknowledged not only beauticians and hair stylists, but also other talented individuals from the cosmetic sector, who deliver exceptional customer services and work within clinics and practices, where excellence is a standard. The black-tie event was hosted by Heart Radio Breakfast Show presenter, Kelly Scott, who handed over 26 awards to people from all over the region. Several of the awards were split into local areas to ensure the diverse establishments from across the North East of England are recognised for their impeccable work.

A killer danger driver could be released from prison - exactly three years to the day since causing the death of teenager Bethany Fisher. “Beautiful” Bethany was out with friends celebrating her 19th birthday on August 19, 2017, when tragedy struck. Jordan O’Donnell lost control of his uninsured Ford Mondeo while giving her a lift home and smashed into parked cars on a street in Bedlington, Northumberland. Passenger Bethany died from her injuries while Meg McBurnie, who was also in the car, was badly hurt. O’Donnell pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was handed a six-year sentence. Now, Bethany’s mum, Isabel Easson, has been left heartbroken to learn he could be released from prison having served just half his sentence behind bars.

Labour members in Bedlington are calling on Northumberland County Council to intervene and protect woodland that could be under threat from development.

Cleared of a one-punch attack on an Aussie rugby star, Sam Oliver is back on home soil and declared: “I’m glad it’s all over.” And the relieved 23-year-old was especially happy to get a big hug from his mum when he arrived at Newcastle Airport as he was welcomed by his emotional family. “I just wanted it to be over and get back to my family, I’m so pleased to be home right now,” said Sam, at his Bedlington home in Northumberland. Sam hit the headlines when he was accused of flooring James Stannard with a “king hit” - Australian slang for a single punch - outside a kebab shop in Sydney in the early hours of March 30. The 35-year-old former Australia Rugby Sevens captain, who announced his retirement from rugby in June, struck his head on the pavement and suffered a fractured skull, spending two nights in hospital. He was unable to compete at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April. Sam had denied recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and the alternative charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, claiming Mr Stannard hit him first and that he had acted in self-defence.

A young girl from Bedlington is on a mission to encourage others to help the environment and marine life.