PLANS for a new fire station as part of a major town development in Ponteland have been approved by councillors.

The new facility, on land west of Ponteland High School on Callerton Lane, is located south of the existing fire station which is to be demolished. The station will form part of the town’s new school and leisure development.

The application, which was recommended for approval, sparked five objections, citing concerns over the loss of trees and hedgerow, road safety, the general design and appearance, and the impact on the landscape corridor along Callerton Lane. John Hague from the Ponteland Civic Society, said an alternative site to the south of the high school playing field would have been a more satisfactory location.

“It would minimise damage to the green approach, and not have any significant impact on station response times,” he said.