COUNTY councillors have disputed claims made by their own authority about the proposed benefits of Dissington Garden Village.

The proposals involve building a new housing estate on land north of Darras Hall.

The number of homes to be built has increased from 1,800 to 2,000, with the council promising a range of benefits for Ponteland and the surrounding area.

Northumberland County Council’s director of planning and economy Geoff Paul told councillors last month that the garden village would bring £100m of investment to Ponteland.

They were also told there would be new community facilities and services, such as a new school, retail and leisure units, a post office, medical centre and village hall, as well as a new relief road.

But at a meeting of Ponteland Town Council, Coun. Richard Dodd expressed his disbelief at the suggestions.

He said: “What they are proposing in terms of a new school and the benefit to Ponteland is unbelievable, and I say that to mean you can’t really believe it.

“How did they get that figure? That adds up to around £50,000 per house built. Around 200 of these are likely to be affordable housing, so it seems unrealistic that there could be that much financial benefit to Ponteland.”

And county councillor Peter Jackson argued that the development was unnecessary as there is no pressure for housing in Northumberland.

He said: “This is just the first major development trying to change the make-up of Ponteland completely.

“We have to value our green belt for a real reason and that is to protect the character of the place we live in.”

A three-day workshop has been held by The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community and will form the basis for the design of the garden village.

A public meeting to discuss the conclusions of the workshop is being held on Monday, from 7pm to 9pm, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Newcastle airport.