PROPOSALS for affordable housing in a plush Northumberland village are dividing its residents.

Developer Two Castles Housing Association wants to build 25 low-cost homes at Longframlington, near Alnwick. A petition set up by a group of villagers opposed to the development had been signed by more than 175 residents.

But now a young couple from the village – who have been unable to find a home there – have set up a petition in favour of the project, on which they have collected 120 signatures.

Longframlington Parish Council has voted by 4-3 to oppose the scheme. The petition in favour was set up by Sandra Clark, 27, and her partner David Cairns, 34.

The couple, both of whom were brought up in the village, had to move away to Amble when they wanted to move in together, as they could not afford a property in Longframlington.

However, financial difficulties caused by David losing his job and Sandra’s hours being reduced meant they had to give up the property.

The couple have had to move back in with their respective families in Longframlington, with David having to spend some of his time at his aunt and uncle’s home as his brother also lives with their parents.

Sandra, who manages an after-school club at Swarland, and David, an IT administrator at Northumberland College, say private rents and property prices in the village are out of their reach.

Sandra said: “There are people in the village who are in support of the housing and it is desperately needed. We have been trying to get a house in the village but it has been an absolute nightmare.

“We want to start a family here where our family is. We have friends in the village who are living three generations in one house ... people have not done that since the Second World War. There is a large demand even for small properties in this village.”

Sandra’s mother Sarah, whose son is also living at her Church Street home, added: “They deserve a new start here in their home village as do many more. Our village will become an aged community and will boast a lovely village green with no one to play on it.”

A planning application for the project for affordable properties for rent on land at Rothbury Road has been lodged with the county council.

The petition against the scheme was organised by some villagers who believe the number of properties proposed mean some would go to people from outside the village.

They also fear the village’s infrastructure would not cope and view the site as inappropriate given that motorists are said to speed along Rothbury Road.

Northumberland County Council will make a final decision on the application later this year.