PLANS for 38 apartments for the elderly in Hexham have been given the go-ahead – despite concerns over access and road safety.

Isos Housing is set to construct a two and three-storey apartment block at St Cuthbert’s Close to replace an existing 1970s building.

Members of Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee visited the site on Monday, following concerns over a proposed new access route from Hencotes, a busy street used by children walking to school.

But at a meeting at County Hall in Morpeth on Tuesday the committee granted permission for the scheme.

Despite calls from Hexham Town Council for the existing access, via Priestlands Lane, to be retained, the committee backed the Isos proposal on a nine to two majority.

The decision came after Vince Walsh, of Isos Housing, said the new access would have better visibility than some other existing junctions on Hencotes.

In addition, he said the existing Priestlands Lane access was not fit for purpose.

Mr Walsh added: “This scheme would provide a huge investment for Hexham and there is a strong demand for elderly accommodation.”

Lib. Dem. Coun. Jeff Reid, ward councillor for Plessey in Blyth, said the new access would be for residents and visitors of the scheme, and that the volume of vehicles accessing the site would be relatively low.

Conservative Coun. Richard Dodd, ward councillor for Ponteland North, warned that Hencotes was a “bad bit of road” populated by buses and pedestrians, including children.

Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Trevor Cessford, insisted that Hexham Town Council backed the redevelopment of the site, but warned that providing access off Hencotes could jeopardise road safety.

Julie Foster, of Hexham Civic Society said the new access would be a “complete abuse of pedestrian safety issues.”

Chairing the meeting, Independent Coun. Paul Kelly, who represents Bywell, said the new entrance would provide better, level access to the building for people who are elderly or have disabilities.