COUNCILLORS have said they are "going to war" with a property developer they say has neglected their responsibilities.

Town and county councillors in Prudhoe are furious with the actions of Shenstone Properties, who built the development encompassing Western Avenue, Cranbrook Drive, and Cheyne Road back in the 1970s.

However, councillors claim they have done next to nothing to maintain the area since.

Prudhoe Town Councillor for Castle and Eltringham Ward, Chris Barrett said “I am frequently contacted by residents with their concerns relating to overgrown trees and failing stairs and footpaths among other issues.

"Whilst the trees bring obvious aesthetic and environmental benefits to the area they have not been maintained since their planting and are now becoming problematic. In one part of my ward the tree roots are pushing a bank of garages off their damp proof course."

Responses from Shenstone have been unreliable and dismissive, according to councillor Barrett.

In a recent letter, they claimed the county council is responsible for "everything that grows on the land" - which is not the case.

Coun. Ken Stow, who represents Prudhoe North, said: "“Northumberland County Council have taken on some of the grass cutting and weed control in the area.

“We are not legally obliged to do this but don’t like to see residents being neglected and the area looking unkempt.

"Unfortunately, we are limited to how much we can do with areas such as tree maintenance as we do not own the trees.”

Northumberland County Council's legal team are consulting how how best to proceed. Coun. Barrett added: "Shenstones are responsible for the upkeep of their real estate not NCC. We won’t accept this."

The Courant attempted to contact Shenstone, but has been unable to do so.