Community Builds Drive-Away, Reviving Coastwatch Cottage

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  House and Home on Tue, Dec 09th, 2025 by 12onyourside.com

A Community‑Built Drive‑Away Gives a Beloved Holiday Home a New Lease on Life

The quiet village of St. Clare’s, on the edge of the Northumberland countryside, has long been a favorite holiday destination for families from Newcastle and the surrounding areas. At the heart of this appeal is the rustic 17‑bed “Coastwatch Cottage” – a former farmstead turned holiday let that offers spectacular sea views, a cozy fireplace and a well‑timed “stay‑and‑play” vibe. For years, however, guests were forced to park their cars on the neighbouring fields, making the journey to the cottage a bit of an adventure of its own. That inconvenience finally prompted an inspiring community effort, resulting in a brand‑new drive‑away that now welcomes holidaymakers with ease.

The Problem

Coastwatch Cottage sits on a modest plot of land, bounded by the river‑bank and a strip of public footpath. While the house itself boasts a well‑maintained drive‑way that links the property to the back‑garden, the road that leads from the main access route is a narrow, uneven lane that had long been deemed unsafe for regular car traffic. When the cottage’s owner, Mark Harrison, first leased it to the public in 2015, he relied on a combination of local council “temporary” access arrangements and volunteer parking. But as the popularity of the cottage grew, so did the number of cars parked on the public path, resulting in complaints from residents and increased wear on the shared road.

The owner approached the local council in 2023, requesting permission to construct a permanent drive‑away that would link the cottage directly to the main road. The council’s planning committee, however, expressed concerns about the environmental impact on the surrounding wetlands, the cost of the project, and the potential increase in traffic to an area that was already experiencing congestion during the peak season.

Community Mobilisation

Faced with the council’s hesitancy, Harrison turned to the community. The first step was a community meeting held at the St. Clare’s Community Hall, where local residents, the cottage’s frequent guests, and the local planning officer discussed options. The meeting, recorded and shared on the village’s Facebook page, quickly went viral in the Northumberland area, drawing attention to the project and encouraging more people to get involved.

Several key figures emerged from the discussion. Local horticulturalist Sarah Larkin volunteered to design the landscaping around the new drive, ensuring minimal ecological disturbance. Construction enthusiast and local builder, Tom Bennett, offered his services at a discounted rate. And a group of retirees – the “Old‑Town Trailblazers” – organized a fundraising drive through the village’s charity shop, “St. Clare’s Heritage Fund.” The fund’s website, linked in the original article, documented a series of small donations ranging from £5 to £200, totaling over £7,000 by mid‑2024.

In addition to the grassroots fundraising, Harrison sought a grant from the Northumberland Tourism Development Fund. The grant application, outlined in a separate link in the article, described how the drive‑away would “significantly improve accessibility for holidaymakers with mobility issues, thereby expanding the cottage’s market appeal.” The funding body approved an £8,000 contribution in October 2024, bringing the total budget to nearly £15,000.

Construction and Design

The new drive, completed in late 2024, spans 90 metres from the main road to the cottage’s rear entrance. It was constructed using permeable pavers and locally sourced stone, designed to blend seamlessly into the natural environment. To mitigate environmental concerns, the road is elevated on a series of small stone pillars that allow water to flow freely, protecting the nearby wetlands.

The drive’s design was also influenced by the cottage’s architectural heritage. A subtle wooden canopy was added at the cottage’s front entrance, echoing the original timber framing of the house and providing a welcome shade for guests arriving on sunny days. The canopy also houses discreet signage that reads, “Coastwatch Cottage – Courtesy of St. Clare’s Community.”

Tom Bennett, the contractor, noted that the project was a collaborative effort: “We worked hand‑in‑hand with the community to make sure we were building something that would serve the cottage’s guests and respect the local ecosystem.” The project also incorporated a small car‑park at the end of the drive, with clear markings to ensure proper parking and reduce the chance of guests wandering back onto the public path.

Impact on the Holiday Home and the Community

The new drive has immediately paid dividends for Coastwatch Cottage. Since its completion, the property has reported a 30% increase in bookings, particularly during the shoulder season (May and September). “It’s a game‑changer,” said Mark Harrison. “Guests no longer have to navigate the rough terrain to reach their accommodation, and that ease of access translates into higher satisfaction and repeat bookings.”

The community, too, has reaped benefits. The construction project created several part‑time jobs in the local area, supporting small businesses such as the St. Clare’s Hardware Shop and the local garden centre. Furthermore, the new drive has reduced the wear and tear on the public path, preserving it for walking and cycling enthusiasts. The village’s mayor, who was present at the ribbon‑cutting ceremony, praised the collective effort, noting that the project demonstrated how “community initiative and government partnership can bring lasting improvements.”

The article also highlighted how the success of the drive has encouraged other local holiday lets to consider similar upgrades, sparking a wave of “accessibility” projects across the region. Links to the “Northumberland Holiday Let Guide” and the “Local Planning and Environment Office” were included for readers wishing to explore further examples.

A Legacy of Cooperation

In many ways, the new drive represents a triumph of grassroots collaboration over bureaucratic inertia. By pooling local talent, securing funding, and engaging the wider community, St. Clare’s has transformed a once‑problematic access issue into a shining example of sustainable development. Coastwatch Cottage now stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when community members look beyond their own interests and work together to enhance a shared asset.

For those planning a holiday in the Northumberland area, the cottage’s new drive means a hassle‑free arrival and a more enjoyable stay. For the community, it is a reminder that sometimes the most significant changes come from a handful of determined people who decide to make a difference – one drive at a time.