Anger as duke’s plan given OK

Sep 19 2008 by JL Hexham, The Journal

TRADERS have spoken of their disappointment after it emerged the Duke of Northumberland’s £30m overhaul of Prudhoe town centre will go ahead.

Government Office for the North East, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, confirmed it will not be calling in Tynedale Council’s decision to inquiry.

The plans, which include a Sainsbury’s store, a multi-storey car park and more than 150 new homes, was given the green light by the council’s planning committee in June. But the application was passed to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears to decide whether a public inquiry should be held, as there was some diversion from Tynedale’s local plan.

The Prudhoe Traders’ Association have vowed to fight on, arguing the development could destroy local businesses.

Chairman John Short said: “I am very disappointed, as we believe there are a number of aspects that should be questioned.

“We believe that in the plans, for both inside and outside the commercial area, there were grounds for this to be called in.

“Now we are looking to secure a judicial review. All that would do is enforce policies, but that’s fine for us as we believe they haven’t been adhered to.”

Conditional planning permission will be granted once an agreement is reached to make 20% of the new housing affordable homes.

Northumberland Estates development director Colin Barnes said: “We’re pleased the application hasn’t been called in and we’re intending now to progress with the details of the project and move the scheme forward.”

The development has provoked strong debate in the town since it was announced.

The initial proposals were met with more than 4,000 objections. Local people expressed concerns about the scale of the development and the potential effect on noise, traffic and local businesses.

Prudhoe North ward councillor Jennifer McGee last night said the fact the decision was not being called in was a surprise.

“I thought they might have called it in and had a look at it,” she said.

“That would have seemed the fair thing to do because there were thousands of objections to it and lots of individual letters.

“My concern now would be, and everyone has to work together on this, that we make the transition as easy as possible.

“It’s not going to happen overnight and we need to see it done in a way that will have the least possible effect on local businesses.”