By ROBERT GIBSON robert.gibson@hexham-courant.co.uk

Last updated at 13:10, Friday, 05 February 2010

PLANS for a new fire station in Prudhoe have been given the go-ahead by county councillors, despite extensive local opposition.

Northumberland County Council received 14 letters of objection and three petitions bearing a total of 37 names, against proposals that the two-storey station be built on land near Prudhoe West First School.

The application was one of the latest in line for a cut of £23 million funding, and concerns were raised it was being rushed through to meet central Government deadlines.

At Tuesday’s planning and environment committee, however, outline planning permission was granted for stations in Prudhoe, Haltwhistle and Seahouses.

“It’s been financially led and officer driven,” said Mayor of Prudhoe Coun. Jennifer McGee, who addressed the meeting along with town councillor and school governor John Grigor.

“I’m going to propose that the town council make a formal complaint about the way this has been handled.

“The reports before the council were full of inaccuracies and omissions, and no notices were put in the local press or on the site.”

Northumberland fire and rescue service has simply been granted permission to use the site, but a detailed planning application will likely include the station, accommodation, car parking for 29 visitors and 11 staff, along with community facilities.

Assistant chief fire officer Neill Cook said only about 40 per cent of the West Road site would be taken up, while the rest could be enhanced for the local community.

One of the main arguments against the development was that the land was considered to be Prudhoe West’s playing field, but Mr Cook said this had only been on an informal basis.

“Sport England would not consider it a playing field in terms of planning legislation,” he said.

Careful design would mean noise impact on residential properties would be minimised, and issues such as drainage and stability would be dealt with through the detailed application.

Planning consultant David Abercrombie, then, addressed road safety, saying the county highways department had raised no objections.

And, while residents felt poor visibility could create hazards for local children, land would be cut back as the development was built, improving the situation.

Mr Abercrombie added that West Road was the only suitable site, dismissing Coun. McGee’s suggestion of land by the Hammerite factory in Low Prudhoe as this lay on green belt.

Executive member for community safety Coun. Ian Lindley, said: “I’d like to reassure residents that if there are issues around things like noise later on, they will definitely be dealt with.

“The timescale is not driven by ourselves, but by central Government.

“If we miss these deadlines there is the potential of losing forever this investment in community resources across the county.”

Haltwhistle’s Coun. Ian Hutchinson said he disliked the pressure the fire service was exerting by emphasising tight deadlines.

Others sought reassurances that safety would be dealt with adequately.

However, after a long debate, Coun. Dougie Watkins proposed that the application be approved, and this was seconded by Coun. Jeff Taylor, who suggested a site visit should take place before any detailed application.

“It’s been a very difficult one, but in the end we’ve probably come up with the best proposal that takes on board what the Prudhoe Town Council was saying,” said committee chairman Trevor Thorne.

“No, it doesn’t,” said Coun. McGee from the public gallery, before the application was passed with eight votes in favour and two abstentions.

The fire service, which wants to start construction in 2012, will be running its own public consultation period until March 23.

Public events will take place at Prudhoe Waterworld on February 17 and at Haltwhistle Leisure Centre on February 18.

To submit comments, email fireconsult@northumberland.gov.uk, call (0845) 6006400 or write to Rob Clow, Northumberland fire and rescue service headquarters, Loansdean, Morpeth, NE61 2ED.

First published at 09:40, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk