MORE than 100 people attended a protest in a Tyne Valley village last week.

The socially-distanced took place in Riding Mill, with residents gathering to sign a petition to save the village's green belt.

It comes after a developer submitted plans to build a vast new home, known as Fold House, on an 11 acre plot of land south of the village, near a popular view point at the end of a well-used path.

The protest took place outside of the July meeting of Broomhaugh and Riding Mill Parish Council, urging members to formally oppose the planned development.

Speaking at the Parish Council meeting on Monday, immediately after the protest, Richard Walker, chair of the Long Rigg Property Owners Association (LRPOA), noted that over 100 objections had been made during the consultation period.

"This is not just a local concern - it encourages building on other green belt land anywhere in Northumberland," said Richard. "It is understood that the philosophy of Northumberland County Council is that green belt land will only be developed where there is an exceptional need in extreme circumstances. This does not apply here."

Riding Mill resident Penny Hawley added that the coronavirus lockdown had made residents realise just how much they valued the green belt.

She added: "So 103 people - 94 who live in the village - came along this evening with dogs and children to sign the petition to save Riding Mill green belt.

"With liberal hand sanitiser, masks and single-use pens we managed the social distancing.

"Fold House punches a hole in the heart of the green belt just at a time when we realise how dependent we all are on the countryside for our physical and mental health," she added. "I love to walk my dogs up there and listen to the birdsong."

The developers have been contacted for a comment.