FURTHER homes at the east entrance of Hexham were set to be approved despite concerns from neighbours.

It was recommended that Tynedale Local Area Council (TLAC) grant approval for an application for eight three-storey homes directly behind the Grade II-listed Red Lion House, off Corbridge Road, as it met yesterday.

The extra homes would be built next to the newly-constructed Woodland Rise development, which consisted of 122 homes, and close to the 16-home Parkwell estate. But the application had attracted five objections, with the occupants of both the historic Red Lion House and Red Lion Cottage among those against the propsoals.

In a letter of objection to Northumberland County Council, Red Lion House occupant Ben Elliott, who owns Corbridge-based Elliott Architects with his wife Lynsey, said they were extremely concerned about access to the site, drainage issues and threats to the conservation of the area.

He said the area had suffered flooding issues in the past and this would only increase if, as planned, one of the properties was built over the borehole which supplied both Grade-II listed homes.

Neighbour Vince Burini, who lived in Red Lion Cottage, echoed the concerns and also added that he was concerned about the invasion of privacy the new builds would have on their properties. In his letter, he suggested the creation of three-storey homes would overshadow the properties of historical importance.

However, in a written report to TLAC, it was stated: "The site forms part of an allocated housing site within the built-up area of Hexham.

"The principle of new residential dwellings is considered to be acceptable, and would represent a sustainable form of development."