A PLANNING application to build four new homes has fallen foul of a national charity.

The proposals, submitted by Amicis Homes would see new dwellings built on land north of Westburn on Causey Hill in Hexham.

But the Northumberland branch of the CPRE - formerly the Campaign to Protect Rural England - has opposed the pans, arguing it would blight one of the best views of the town.

Colin Adsley, chair of CPRE Northumberland, said: "While the area around the site is not ‘open’ in the way the fields and hedgerows are just half a mile west, it nevertheless retains an unspoilt aspect valued by the community of Hexham and protected by its Green Belt status.

"The garden of Westburn House is an integral part of its setting.

"Placing four large modern houses cheek-by-jowl alongside it would irrevocably impinge on the character of this handsome late-Georgian building.

"The impact on Westburn House from the development would be particularly jarring and for all these reasons, CPRE Northumberland is objecting to the application and urging Northumberland County Council to refuse planning permission."

The application has 22 objections and 21 supporting comments - although some come from as far away as Belfast.

Among the supporters is the occupier of Westburn, Richard Beattie, who wrote: "We want to turn a badly shaped and unused mossy lawn into 4 new houses to create far greater utility and great housing for more people and "future generations" than keeping it as a lawn for one house.

It is not public space. It is not a park. It could be much more and more people, more wildlife and more trees can flourish here if the proposal goes ahead."