RESIDENTS of a Northumberland hamlet who had fought off plans from a mystery American for holiday lets have now lost their battle following a successful appeal.
People living at Little Mill, near Howick, have seen an appeal, against a refused planning application from a man from California, allowed by a Government planning inspector.
The appellant has however failed in his bid to have his costs paid by Northumberland County Council.
Residents and the county councillor for the hamlet last night spoke of their dismay at the appeal decision.
The scheme was put forward by Timothy Chuter, who lives at San Francisco and who at the time residents said they had no knowledge of.
It proposed that two cottages at The Old Mill – owned by Mr Chuter – be allowed to be used as independent holiday lets, by varying a condition of a previous planning permission, which states they should not be occupied separately from the main dwelling.
The application to the county council resulted in five letters of objection from the seven other homes at the hamlet.
Residents claimed the scheme would make money for the applicant in America but be of no benefit to their small community, arguing that little in the way of local employment would be created.
They feared the development would create a precedent for holiday lets in Little Mill and argued there is no need for further tourist accommodation in the area.
