PLANS to build 75 new homes in Haydon Bridge are to be met with opposition from parish councillors.

Developer Bellway Homes has outlined its intention to extend the existing development at The Showfield, where 40 houses were built by Bellway less than a decade ago.

The proposals will be presented at a public consultation event at the village’s community centre today.

No formal planning application has yet been submitted, but it is believed the Newcastle-based developer is seeking to construct a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom dwellings at the site.

But Haydon Parish Council has expressed several concerns after meeting Bellway representatives at last Thursday’s council meeting.

Members are worried about drainage at the site, immediately west of the current Showfield homes, and south of Land Ends Road, which was saturated during heavy rainfall in early December.

Councillors also believe a new development will increase traffic congestion outside the nearby Shaftoe Trust Primary School, with the new homes likely to be accessed via the same Showfield entrance.

And they fear it will lead to more woe for residents and motorists on Shaftoe Street, a bottleneck which has been plagued with access and parking problems for decades.

Speaking on Wednesday, Haydon Parish Council’s vice-chairman Eileen Charlton said the council would be objecting to the proposals on several grounds.

“We don’t believe the roads infrastructure is suitable for a development of this size, with concerns over congestion and road safety, particularly outside Shaftoe Trust school,” she said.

Residents will be able to view the proposals and speak to representatives from the firm at today’s consultation.

It runs from 3pm to 7pm at the Haydon Bridge community centre on Ratcliffe Road.