Go-ahead for town revamp

Jun 24 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

ACONTROVERSIAL multi-million-pound plan to redevelop the centre of a Northumberland town has been given the green light.

Tynedale councillors last night voted by 12 to two to allow the £30m scheme, which will transform Prudhoe town centre.

The plans include a new Sainsbury’s supermarket, new town square, car parking, 100-plus homes and the relocation of the United Services Club.

More than 100 members of the public attended the Tynedale Function and Conference Centre in Hexham last night to hear submissions from objectors and supporters of the plans.

During the planning process, a petition signed by nearly 3,000 people and more than 1,000 letters were handed in to the council objecting to the plans, submitted by Northumberland Estates.

The protesters were concerned about the levels of noise and traffic the scheme would bring as well as the impact it would have on businesses already in the town.

After the decision, one of the objectors, Keith Minton, who runs Tynedale Language Services on Front Street, Prudhoe, said: “The council are going against the will of the people.

“I don’t think they addressed a lot of the concerns about infrastructure in particular. This will be devastating for the town.”

After the vote, Tynedale Council’s chief executive Richard Robson said: “This development represents a real opportunity to revitalise Prudhoe town centre. The scheme has taken several years to come to fruition and there has been a large amount of consultation with local people – as a result of which there has been significant change to the scheme.

“The development will build on the significant investments and improvements that have taken place in Prudhoe in recent years.

“We will, of course, be referring this application to the Government Office for the North East as the housing element of the scheme represents a significant departure from the development plan.

“Subject to their consideration we look forward to working with Northumberland Estates to ensure that this exciting and high-quality development realises the maximum benefits for local people and the economy of the area as a whole.”

It is thought work on the site will start in about two years, and take around two years to complete.

This development represents a real opportunity to revitalise Prudhoe town centre