HEXHAM’S MP Guy Opperman has made public his support for residents in Acomb who say they are living in the shadow of a housing development where ground levels have been raised by up to three metres.

Developer Avant Homes submitted plans to build up to 40 homes on land at Garden House Lane in Acomb last year.

But now residents have reacted with fury after seeing a road and car parking provision for the new homes built on ground levels above the height of their garden fences.

“It really does have to be seen to believed,” said Mr Opperman.

“As anyone can see from the photos of the site, the key issue in this matter is the level of the new development.

“For my part I have written to both Avant homes and the county council and will be pressing Avant to reconsider a situation that is rapidly undermining this development.”

But, in a lengthy statement issued last week, officials at Avant insisted that full planning consent had been granted by the local authority, and that permitted ground levels were actually higher that what was currently being delivered.

A county council spokeswoman said planning officials were negotiating with the developer over a “breach of planning control”.