PROPOSALS for a new housing estate on land neighbouring the swathe of Prudhoe green belt earmarked for development have caused consternation.

Barratt Homes has submitted a pre-application consultation to build 74 homes on farmland sandwiched between Highfield Middle School and Prudhoe Community High School.

The site, to the east of Highfield Lane, adjoins the plot earmarked for 300 homes in Northumberland County Council’s core strategy plan.

Barratt Homes will seek full planning permission to build a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes on the 3.3 hectare site.

A new roundabout off Highfield Lane is proposed as part of the housing estate.

The pre-application form also states that parking will also be provided on site for the ‘nearby school’ with one entry and exit point as well as parking provision for the homes.

However, discussing the proposed development at Wednesday’s town council meeting, councillors raised concerns over its impact on the town’s infrastructure.

Coun. Eileen Burt said: “The issues we brought up in response to the core strategy plan apply here.

“The roads, the traffic, safety issues with the schools, impact on South Road, Edgewell Road and Beaumont Road and the whole infrastructure is affected by that.

“Also building in an area of high landscape value that would be lost forever, that lovely walk along Highfield Lane where you can see for miles.”

Town mayor and chairman of the council, Coun. Jennifer McGee said that the land would need stabilisation prior to any building work due to its history as a quarry.

And concerns were raised for the site’s future should this development go ahead.

Coun. George McCreedy said: “If this goes through it could open the floodgates for those 300 houses.

“Some time ago an application for three houses on that field was rejected.

“What has changed that they’re applying for 74 on the same piece of land?”

It was agreed to compile issues raised and send them in response to the pre-application consultation.

Councillors also agreed to invite the developer and the county council to a public meeting to discuss the plans.

Vice chairman, Coun. Ernest Dobson said: “It’s an opportunity for them to get some feedback.

“There’s no obligation but we can offer to facilitate that opportunity should they so wish.”