A controversial planning application to build three new homes in Prudhoe will not be decided by councillors, it has been decided.
Instead, Northumberland County Council planners will make a decision on whether the detached houses can be built on land east of Tulip Street.
Prudhoe Town Council had objected to the proposals on the grounds of access and car parking, while three residents of neighbouring properties had also objected and had concerns about loss of light to their homes as well as highways safety.
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Coun Angie Scott, felt local representatives and residents were not having their voices heard on the issue. Coun Scott said: “As the local councillor for Prudhoe North I have tried my best after listening to local resident concerns regarding the access route.
“As vice chair of the Local Area Council I originally asked for this planning application to come to a Local Area Council meeting and a site visit was recommended. My reasoning for this request was that Prudhoe Town Council raised concerns over access and did not support the application.
“My request was declined, which means that local councillors and residents don’t have a chance to speak about concerns in regards to this matter. I find it frustrating and disappointing that I was not allowed the opportunity to air the views of local residents, who I know had concerns about the plans.”
A spokesman for the county council said: "For a number of years we have been deciding which planning application decisions are dealt with by public committee in a transparent and consistent manner. Local members can request a planning application to come before a committee.
"However this is not an automatic trigger, and is the decision of the committee chair/vice chair with advice from the chief planning officer. A chair referral report is prepared for each committee or delegated decision and this is publicly available."
The referral report for the application states that Coun Scott felt the application 'raised issues of strategic, wider community or significant county council interest'. However, the vice chair of the planning committee, Coun Trevor Cessford, disagreed.
Coun Cessford, who represents the Hexham Central with Acomb ward, said the decision should be delegated. The council's interim chief planning officer, Rob Murfin, agreed with Coun Cessford.
The report added that the town council's objections and the neighbours' comments had been taken into consideration, but consultees including the council's highways officer had no objection to the proposal. It also stated that the works "would also not lead to a loss of light to neighbouring properties".
The case officer had indicated he intended to recommend approval, but no decision has yet been published on the council's planning portal.
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