PRUDHOE residents say they are being plagued by issues caused by an overgrown piece of land which has been left abandoned.

The former allotment site, north of Front Street and south of Broomhouse Lane (pictured), is owned by the Duke of Northumberland’s property arm, Northumberland Estates.

Residents on neighbouring Neale Street, whose back gardens back directly on to the land, say they are being showered by dispersing seeds because the area is not being maintained, while the site is attracting rats.

“In the summer, if the windows are open, the seeds are blowing inside and if you’re sitting outside you are breathing them in,” said Barbara Gilholme, who lives on Neale Street.

“One day I was sitting and a rat ran in front of the conservatory, and they run around under the trampoline. It’s not nice when the kids play out here.”

Barbara’s husband Eric Gilholme explained that the couple have previously had to replace their shed floor, which had been eaten through by rats, while neighbours have tried to take on the towering vegetation themselves. The problem, they say, worsens during the summer months, but despite telephone complaints the area has not been any better maintained, resulting in them writing to Northumberland Estates.

Allotment holders were moved off the land around around eight years ago to allow for development to take place.

A planning application for a retail development behind Front Street, with the potential for shops, financial and professional services, food and drink outlets, hot food takeaways or betting offices, was given outline planning permission by Northumberland County Council in November 2016.

Northumberland Estates say another planning application for around 100 homes further down the hill was also given outline permission, but work on the site has yet to start.

Colin Barnes, director of Northumberland Estates, said: “We have just received the letter and will be looking to see whether we can assist, however cutting back of vegetation is generally restricted until September after the bird nesting season has completed. Northumberland County Council has granted planning permission for the land to be developed for some new shops as an extension to the town centre and we are currently working to deliver this.”