A BID to recreate a house near Wylam where one stood as recently as 1979, has finally been knocked on the head by planners.

Alistair and Beryl Balls have lived at Oakwood House, in the hamlet of Oakwood, near Wylam, for more than 20 years, and in Wylam itself for 10 years before that.

After bringing up their family there and playing a significant role in community life, they have decided Oakwood House itself is too big for their needs and want to move to somewhere smaller.

Mrs Balls is in poor health and needs to move to ground floor accommodation.

They therefore want to create a new house on the site of the adjacent Oakwood Home Farm, which was only demolished in 1979, and the foundations of which are clearly visible on the ground.

Agent for Mr and Mrs Balls, Chris Checkley, told Northumberland County Council planners that the once thriving farmstead was largely demolished in the late 1970s, possibly to reduce the rates burden on a previous owner.

The intention was to recreate the farmhouse as a restoration exercise, using historic maps dating back to the Victorian era, a magazine article from the turn of the last century and historic aerial photographs.

The project would also involve the demolition of a hay shed, a former squash court and sports pavilion and other buildings.

Mr Checkley acknowledged that the site was in the green belt, but pointed out that the farmhouse would have been in place when the green belt designation took place, and therefore could not be construed as an intrusion.

He argued the site was unsuitable for agricultural use, as it was strewn with the remains of so many old buildings that a farmer who attempted to plough the soil had to abandon the project as the exercise damaged his machinery.

He also put forward supporting arguments regarding the housing land supply, ecology benefits, the provision of a work-from-home office, the potential for growing fruit and vegetables and the incorporation of energy efficient features, such as biomass heating, into the development.

There was only one objection to the proposal – which was supported by Wylam Parish Council - and there were eight other letters of support.

When the matter was discussed by Northumberland County Council‘s west area planning committee last year, ward councillor Paul Kelly spoke in favour of the development, which he said would be an enormous improvement to what was there at present.

He said: “This is clearly a brownfield site. It’s a bit like a bomb site which has been overtaken by nature; it is no recommendation for the green belt whatsoever.

“This proposal would give this hamlet its integrity back and be an enhancement to the whole area.”

However, planning officer Ian Birkett said the local planning authority would contend the proposed development would not comprise a replacement building as the previous farmstead was demolished more than 30 years ago.

He said: “If a very small period of time had passed since the demolition, then the proposed development could be viewed as a replacement.

“However, the passing of more than 30 years means the development would definitely be new build rather than replacement.

“We would further contend the development would not comprise the redevelopment of either previously developed or brownfield land.”

Mr Birkett concluded the proposed development comprised a new dwelling in the green belt, which would be inappropriate development, and therefore recommended refusal.

The committee accepted that recommendation subject to further consultation on matters including flood risk and with the receipt of those reports, the refusal notice has now been issued.