POLICE have raised concerns about plans for a new social space in the centre of Ponteland.

The owners of popular Italian restaurant Rialto applied to Northumberland County Council last year seeking permission for a change of use from vacant land at the back of the site to a mixed-use development of a market square, made up of market stalls, street food vendors and retail units.

The application received more than 100 objections, with residents raising concerns about a variety of issues including noise concerns and a negative impact on the character of the town.

Rialto has now submitted a new change of use application, saying they have reviewed the comments received and amended the scheme.

But Allan Brown, designing out crime officer for Northumbria Police, said they "retain significant concerns about how the venue will impact on residential amenity and the demands this development may place on operational policing in a rural location".

He said while they note that the new design replaces the original box construction with "something more substantial and with a greater sense of permanence", the proposal for a large canopy to cover the area is retained.

He said: "One has to consider that a design with a more substantial roof would have less impact on the village."

READ MORE: Latest planning applications submitted to Northumberland County Council

Mr Brown also said they note that the relationship between the site and the River Pont is "not addressed from a water safety aspect".

"The use of the landscaped area, described as a family space, doesn't preclude drunken revellers from using the space at night and neither the larch fence nor the 500mm bridge balustrade atop the 600mm parapet prevents access to the river," he said.

Nine objections have also been submitted by members of the public.

Fraser Tinsley, principal planner at the applicant's agent Bradley Hall, said: "We have changed the scheme significantly from the previous application following public comments. We responded to concerns and made it smaller with a different design.

"We now have a premises licence issued in May which has conditions that address many of the issues raised. 

"This is a new town centre hub for Ponteland and is not to be confused with the large shipping container operations.

"We welcome all comments on the application, including from the police, and will be responding to all comments from consultees following the consultation period."