PLANS for a housing development in Great Whittington have been swamped by a deluge of objections.

The application to build 10 homes has been submitted by Whittonstall developer Anvil Homes.

But villagers have reacted angrily, describing the scheme as a “housing estate” and arguing it is too large for their rural village.

The application seeks to build 10 detached, two-storey homes and seven parking garages on a plot of land close to Hill House Close.

The development would be accessed via a private road leading on to the main carriageway through the village.

The homes would be constructed in sandstone with timber windows and slate roofs and the development would be fenced off from the rest of the village.

More than 50 letters of objection have been submitted, opposing the proposal, with just four in support.

Whittington Parish Council was one of many recommending the application be rejected.

Its response, signed by chairman Simon Gregory, contends that the proposed development would “obscure and alter” the site and adversely affect the character of the village which is a designated conservation area.

The parish council’s objection states that the proposed houses would not meet the housing needs of the area and would increase the size of the village by over 20 per cent.

Other objectors say that the development would be more suited to an urban area.

One wrote: “The proposal is completely our of keeping with the village of Great Whittington and would be a ‘housing estate’ within the heritage village as described in the 2009 conservation statement.”

In her response, Northumberland County Council conservation officer, Val Robson, stated that she could not support the proposal.

She wrote: “The development, due to the uniformity of the size, scale and massing of the proposed dwelling houses, is detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area, which consists of an interesting mix of traditional house types in differing styles and sizes.”

Residents also raised concerns that local wildlife could be impacted, stating that bats, badgers, owls and red squirrel were seen at the site.

Both the county ecologist and Northumberland Wildlife Trust found no designated habitats in the vicinity of the site, which is owned by the Dodd family.

However, both advised that an old stone building on the plot, thought to accommodate bats and nesting birds, should be assessed before the application was approved.

Increased traffic using the narrow entry road leading from the village to the development was also listed on many objections as a serious concern.

One objector wrote: “Access is via a narrow single track road with no pavement, used regularly by children, dog walkers, horses etc.

“There will be ensuing danger to public safety with the increase in traffic during and after construction.”