AS the date for a decision on the proposed Dissington Garden Village in Ponteland grows closer, town councillors have been discussing whether to engage in talks with developers about the plans.

The proposals include a new, 2,000 home housing estate, with community services and facilities, a relief road and potential for a new school, on land north of Darras Hall, and have been included by the county council in its Northumberland Local Plan.

The county council has submitted an ‘expression of interest’ to the Government for the site to be included in its plan to create ‘sustainable and locally-led’ garden villages across the country.

Earlier this year, Ponteland Town Council, Ponteland Civic Society, Ponteland Green Belt Group and Ponteland Community Partnership all declined invitations to consultations about the proposals.

At a meeting of the town council, local county councillor Richard Dodd said: “A number of people have taken the decision not to engage with this project and that is their decision, but there are a number of things that are important where we should be working with them and talking to them."

But Coun. Lesley Noble said: “The view of the residents won’t support our engagement and we are here to support the views of residents. It doesn’t feel right ethically and would seem like we are accepting what is going to happen.”

Consultations over Northumberland’s Local Plan are taking place until December 23. Due to the level of modification proposed for Ponteland, a drop-in meeting will take place on December 7, from 2pm to 7pm, at the Memorial Hall, where planning staff will provide advice on how to reply to the consultation.

After a heated debate, town councillors decided to leave it up to individuals to choose whether to engage in the consultation.