More than 100 people pack out Ashington Town Council meeting to discuss Wansbeck Road development

Banks Property wants to develop a 7.8 hectare site off Wansbeck Road, but the proposal has prompted a public backlash.

Locals are desperate not to lose their precious green space, and therefore turned up in force at a special meeting of the town council to discuss the application.

Several campaigners made impassioned speeches about why they are opposed to the plans, and at the end of the meeting the town council voted unanimously to oppose Banks’ proposal.

The town council’s view will be taken into account when the matter goes before the county council’s planning committee.

Tony Dodds, chairman of the residents’ campaign group, said: “It was an excellent turnout.There were some very good speakers from the local community and a resounding no to the proposals.

“This sentiment was fully supported in a unanimous decision by the town council.

“It is quite clear that the proposals are contrary to planning policy, will cause significant harm to the local community and environment, and provide no tangible benefits, economic or otherwise.

“There is also no need for additional housing as there is sufficient provision catered for on other allocated housing sites.”

The planning application has attracted 119 objections so far, and campaigners have started a petition.

Signs have also sprung up all over Ashington which say “Say no to Banks Group”.

A spokesperson for Ashington Town Council said: “The response of Ashington Town Council to the outline planning application for 186 units on land west of Wansbeck Road, put forward by Banks Group, is a very clear no.

“The message to Northumberland County Council planning is that they must uphold their own recently adopted Northumberland Local Plan, which this proposed development is outside of.

“More than 130 members of the public attended the meeting to hear this single agenda item, with several speakers voicing sound material reasons for their objections.”

The protesters are also concerned about the impact the development will have on local wildlife, as the site contains a pond.

Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at The Banks Group, said: “While we are disappointed that Ashington Town Council has taken this view, we remain committed to taking forward our proposals for what will be a high-quality development in a wholly suitable location.

“We are continuing to talk to people across the local community about our plans and are grateful to all those who have expressed their support for them so far, including the growing number of people who have said they would been keen to buy at Wansbeck Road if it goes ahead.

“Our aim is to create a thriving, integrated community that is a positive addition to the wider Ashington area and we hope Northumberland County Council’s planning committee will be minded to support our plans when they come to assess them.”

It is not yet known when the application will be debated by Northumberland County Council.