A PARISH councillor has criticised the attitude of Northumberland County Council’s planning officials.

Allendale Parish Council’s Coun. Glynn Galley attended a meeting between planners and local resident Neil Cole last Monday.

The meeting was held to discuss the future of the Allendale Dalek, which is in a shed outside Neil’s sci-fi museum in the village. Council planners say the shed needs planning permission.

Speaking at Allendale Parish Council’s meeting on Thursday, Coun. Galley said: “I attended that meeting on Monday. It was an extremely grim meeting with little positive said for an hour.

“I was actually furious at the attitude of the council’s planning department to two people who are trying to do something creative. The planning officer told him three or four times we can close you down.

“I was absolutely disgusted about the attitude.”

Coun. Galley added that the future of the museum was up in the air, as the owner may have to put in further planning applications for minor issues in the museum, which could cost him up to £1,000 in planning fees.

In response, a spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said: “Members of the planning team met with Mr and Mrs Cole last week to discuss issues relating to Osborne House and the museum which they have established there.

“A number of actions were identified that are required to be carried out by the property owners in order to meet the conditions attached to the planning permission and listed building consent. If the owners are to meet these some formal applications would be required, and there are standard fees associated with these which are set nationally by government.

“As we have said, planning laws apply to everyone, but we will work with Mr and Mrs Cole to help them to meet their legal requirements.”