RESIDENTS in Langley have vowed to fight plans for 21 homes on the site of the village’s former brickworks.

Developer David Knowles wants to knock down the existing derelict buildings to make way for a mixture of four and five-bedroom, detached and semi-detached properties.

But local people say the development would be overkill for such a small community, with one resident claiming “the proposed development appears larger than the actual village”.

Around 20 villagers attended the annual meeting of Haydon Parish Council last Thursday, which was held at Langley Village Hall.

They claimed roads in the area would struggle to cope with the additional traffic and said picturesque woodlands would be “trampled on” by dog walkers.

One resident said: “We cannot see this being sustainable. There are no shops to support houses here, no businesses or infrastructure, or transport links.

“It’s such a major development for the area. It’s outrageous.

“In terms of access, there would be a single track with two passing places, and the development could bring more than 50 cars.”

Residents also raised concerns about extra traffic travelling along the B6295 road through Langley, which currently has a speed limit of 60mph with no footpaths.

They also said light- pollution could be an issue, and said the area’s water supply would need to be improved to accommodate such a development.

The meeting also heard that Langley Brickworks, which has been disused for decades, is regarded as a site of local historic importance.

Local businessman Geoff Jackson suggested that light industry would be the best use of the brickworks site.

The plans have been met by 21 letters of objection, but Coun. Simon Walker issued a warning for residents.

He said the proposal fits in with Northumberland County Council’s desire to build 200 houses in the Haydon Bridge area over the next 15 years, as part of the county-wide core strategy.

Coun. Walker said: “You have a fight on your hands, definitely.

“The fear is that permission will be granted unless you can convince planners otherwise.”

The scheme comes seven years after plans for a holiday village, with self-catering units, shops and a swimming pool at the former brickworks site, were unanimously rejected by county council planners.

The latest scheme would see 21 homes built on the one-hectare brownfield site.

The development would incorporate energy-efficient technology. Each home would have a garden, and some would have attached garages.

Vehicular access would be provided via an existing route from the B6295.

Resurfacing work would be carried out, and the road would be marked out with ‘give-way’ points to allow for two passing places.

In a planning statement, the developer said there were sufficient public transport links to required services in nearby communities, and that the proposal was for a site which requires development.

The statement added: “It is considered that the site is adequately located in relation to local services, facilities and public transport and would constitute a sustainable location in accordance with advice in the National Planning Policy Framework.

“The significant point about this development is the opportunities it would provide for an integrated approach to sustainable, low energy, environmentally friendly style of living and working in a rural environment. The development offers an opportunity to strengthen and support the existing community.”

joseph.tulip@hexham-courant.co.uk