Housing plans get green light, despite '˜race track' worries

Plans for 13 new homes in Christon Bank have been approved, despite the concerns of local residents.
Coun Jeff WatsonCoun Jeff Watson
Coun Jeff Watson

The application for land north of Horsley Place was given the green light by county councillors on Thursday.

North Northumberland Local Area Council members heard there had been 11 objections.

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Andrew Chillingsworth said: “The traffic on the B1340 is horrendous. It’s been called the Brands Hatch of Northumberland.”

He felt new homes on the edge of the village, despite it being within the 30mph limit, was ‘a recipe for disaster’.

Richard Higginbotham raised several objections, including lack of demand and the risk of them becoming holiday homes.

Embleton Parish Council was among those which expressed concern about surface water drainage and sewage given historic flooding problems in parts of the village. However, there was no objections from Northumbrian Water.

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However, senior planning officer Tony Lowe said it was a sustainable development in a sustainable location.

There would be two affordable homes within the development. A financial contribution of £17,600 would also go to the Duchess’s Community High School.

Coun Jeff Watson, proposing approval, said: “I have a lot of sympathy for the objectors but there is no planning reason to refuse it. I also have concerns about holiday homes but there is nothing in planning to vote against it.”

It was approved 4-1.