IN the face of fervent objection, a proposal from the Duke of Northumberland to build 36 new homes in Prudhoe is likely to be rejected.

The Duke‘s Northumberland Estates wants to create a housing estate near Edgewell House Road in the town. The new houses and flats would sit on land overlooking the existing Ovington View, Beaumont Way and Bewick Grange estates.

Residents living near the proposed development are among those clamouring for the proposal to be turned down.

In all, 24 objections were received by Northumberland County Council, claiming that the development would impact adversely on road safety, residential amenities and local wildlife, as well as increasing the risk of flood.

The fact that the houses would be build on the site of recorded mine workings was also cited as a concern.

In its objection, Prudhoe Town Council states it has ‘little confidence’ in the application, noting the development would be built on a location with high landscape value, treasured by the people of Prudhoe.

And in a report prepared in advance of next Wednesday’s strategic planning committee meeting, county council planning officer Joanne Wood recommends that the application be refused.

She says the site’s location would have an “overbearing impact upon neighbouring properties to the north-west at Ovington View.

As Northumberland Estates has failed to adequately assess the risk from existing mine workings, concern that the site could be contaminated is also given as a reason for refusal.

And the fact that the development will not provide an appropriate contribution towards an off-site children’s play area or sport facilities is also found to be contrary to a locally agreed policy.