RESIDENTS in Otterburn claim plans to build a salt barn in the village will create an eyesore and tear tourists away.

An application submitted by Northumberland County Council outlines plans to demolish Otterburn’s existing depot garage block, relocate the existing vehicle fuelling facilities and construct a salt barn, which will store up to 4,000 tonnes of salt.

Road salt is currently stored uncovered at the council depot in the East Townhead area of Otterburn.

Northumberland County Council argues having the salt uncovered reduces its efficiency.

Otterburn Parish Council has objected to the application, stating that the proposed structure is too big and is not in-keeping with the surrounding properties.

The parish council said it is in favour of the salt being covered and would be keen to assess a further application that proposed a smaller structure.

Residents have suggested alternative locations such as Otterburn Camp and the quarry between Rochester and Byrness.

Emma Anderson, who lives at The Cherry Trees, said: “I am surprised I am one of only a small number of residents living adjacent to the council yard who have been approached for comment, especially when the proposed barn will blight the neighbourhood as a whole.

“A barn of such industrial proportions is clearly an unsuitable structure for a residential setting. Why does the proposed barn need to be of such grotesque proportions? The council yard is a permanent eyesore and the enormous barn would not be very appealing to visitors.”