Plans to extend Egger plant in Hexham

Jul 3 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A further five letters were submitted in response to the amended scheme, including one from a band of 40 residents from Hexham, Oakwood and Anick.

Residents echo the concerns of the parish council and also say the development is too big for the site and would be harmful to tourism.

Objections to the initial scheme were also submitted by the Environment Agency and the county council’s department for health and public protection but both were withdrawn following Egger’s amendments. The county council’s West area planning committee is next Thursday being recommended to give authority to its director of development and regulatory services to grant conditional permission, subject to referral to the Government Office for the North East.

That referral is because approving the application would represent a departure from the council’s development plan on the issue raised by the Sandhoe council, of the proposed site being reserved for future economic development.

Next Thursday’s meeting takes place in the council chamber at Prospect House, Hexham, from 6pm.

Egger declined to comment ahead of the meeting.

For more news in the Hexham area log on to www.journallive/hexham