A COUPLE in Allendale happened upon a planning application right under their noses by chance.

While the property in question was no more than 100 yards around from their home, the family, who wished to remain anonymous, was in the dark that any submission had been made to Northumberland County Council.

In fact, they only knew about the plans when they walked a different route to the one they usually used and saw a notice on a gate.

The couple were furious that something which impacted their homes so dramatically had gone undetected. They checked recent editions of the Hexham Courant but found no mention of it.

The husband said: “There was only one notice put up, whereas there used to be at least three. Northumberland County Council now does not send letters to adjoining properties like it used to. So, if letters aren’t being sent out and they’re not in the Courant , how are people to know about what is going on in their villages?”