RESIDENTS are divided with their local council over plans to change the face of a Tynedale town.

A proposal for a petrol station, two drive-through restaurants and a two-storey hotel have been submitted to rejuvenate the dilapidated land at the Hadrian Enterprise Park in Haltwhistle.

At its June meeting the town council agreed that local income from overnight guests at the proposed hotel was likely to be minimal and a reduction in employment opportunities elsewhere in the town could be expected.

But after the town council branded the plans ‘limited and unimaginative’, residents have come out in support of the need for new investment in Haltwhistle.

Graham Leadbitter said another petrol station was not needed, but because of the size of the development it would bring more tourism into Haltwhistle and create more jobs

He explained: “Two takeaway restaurants and a hotel; how’s that going to remove work from Haltwhistle or affect any existing work site?

“How does the location affect jobs? Crown Paints never had an issue.”

Samantha Spray said it would be a “boost for the town” that would create jobs and tourism.

M&L Richardson, who own two service stations at Henshaw and Low Row on the A69, warned the plans could put existing jobs at risk.

However John Gadd said: “The area needs more local employment and this would go some way to help solve this.”

Shelly Newton added that the Hadrian Enterprise Park land is “desperate” for development and cited the A69 bypass as a past example of increasing the town’s footfall.

Keith Jackson said the plans seem unrealistic and said: “ I would dearly love to see the development be realised but this will never happen.”