Northumberland county councillors have agreed an extra £45,000 to cover the legal costs of two senior colleagues and the chief executive for their defence of a property developer’s High Court action.

In July, cabinet members unanimously approved legal indemnities of £10,000 each for council leader Peter Jackson, chief executive Daljit Lally and cabinet member for planning John Riddle, with the provision they could be extended in tranches of £15,000. They relate to a claim by Lugano over the Conservative-led council’s handling of its Dissington Garden Village application.

On Tuesday, councillors approved the release of the £45,000 following a request from the three individuals’ solicitors.