PLANS for 100 homes at a former factory site have been turned down by county councillors.

An application from housing developer Bellway Homes for 105 houses at the former Marley Tiles site, near Ebchester, was recommended for approval at the latest meeting of Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee.

However, committee members rejected the proposal by 10 votes to two because the plans were deemed as an inappropriate development in the green belt, the design was out of keeping with the local area and were unsustainable.

Speaking at the meeting, resident Jim Anderson raised concerns about the volume of traffic, which would be added to by hundreds more vehicles if 105 homes were built.

“It’s a dangerous place for children,” he said. “I do not think this is a good idea at all.”

He also raised concerns about asbestos, which the agent for Bellway Homes, Lichfield’s Chris Smith, accepted was present. Mr Smith explained that the proposed development offered a commercially viable way of dealing with the derelict site and also the necessary asbestos remediation work, while highlighting the provision of high-speed broadband, new bus stops and a footpath link to the village of Ebchester.

Coun. Nigel Cook, a member of Shotley Low Quarter Parish Council, objected to the plans on the grounds that there was limited public transport links and the development would have a “significant negative impact on the community”.

County councillor for South Tynedale, Colin Horncastle, agreed. He said: “I don’t have a problem with housing on this site, but this development does not suit the site and does not suit the surrounding area.”