A TOWN council has objected to revised plans which could see homes built on land at the heart of a Tyne Valley town.

Land south of Broomhouse Lane, Prudhoe, known locally as the legion or allotment site, has been subject to planning applications for many years.

At its meeting of the planning, contract and works committee, held on April 14, Prudhoe Town councillors agreed to strongly object the proposed development to build 61 houses and 10 apartments, with associated infrastructure and landscaping on site, on a number of grounds.

In January, plans had been afoot for 100 new homes on the land owned by the Duke of Northumberland’s property arm Northumberland Estates.

In the town council’s planning response, concerns included parking, highways safety and traffic, affordable housing, design, amenity, sustainable drainage systems and flooding.

It is proposed that 31 dwellings and 10 apartments would be accessed via the Tilley Crescent cul-de-sac of the Castlefields Estate. Original plans had outlined only five homes would use this route.

The planning response said: “The developer has stated that alternatives to a through-road via Tilley Crescent either reduce the number of houses to the point that the site is unviable or result in extensive highways requirements to the detriment of the scheme.

“Viability may be the main concern of the developer, but that is not the case for Prudhoe Town Council who would not wish the residents of Tilley Crescent to be collateral damage.”

A number of Tilley Crescent residents have also voiced their concerns on the proposed development on both the Northumberland County Council planning portal but also via socially distanced consultation with councillors.

Developers said alternative access to Tilley Crescent would have “significant impacts”, including a reduction in housing numbers and “extensive amounts of highway/battering/retaining walls to the overall detriment of the scheme appearance design and quality.”

Prudhoe Town Council also agreed for public questions regarding drainage, soil, ancient hedgerow, maintenance, ground water springs, sewage and flooding risk to neighbouring properties to be sent to the planning authority for consideration.