FAMILIES locked in a battle against plans for a new bar and bistro in their neighbourhood are preparing to fight a fourth bid to win approval for the controversial venture.

The proposal to convert the former Co-op store and off-licence at Bell Villas in Ponteland into a 96-customer licensed eaterie has already been rejected twice by councillors – and once by a Government planning inspector.

Now developer Jonathon Stokes has submitted a second appeal to the Planning Inspectorate after his application was turned down for a second time in less than a year by Northumberland County Council.

The saga began a year ago when the council’s planning committee first refused permission for the bar-bistro following objections from 26 local people.

Opponents claimed Ponteland already has more than enough pubs and licensed premises – and approving another would only add to problems of noise, anti-social behaviour, late-night disturbance and traffic.

Permission was refused last February on the grounds that the development would result in an unacceptable loss of retail space in the town centre.

Mr Stokes appealed against the decision to the Planning Inspectorate, but last summer the inspector, Ian Jenkins, upheld it – bringing delight for local residents whose homes are close to the former Co-op.