Villagers objecting to a huge warehouse at a Northumberland factory have reluctantly given up their fight because they couldn't raise the £80,000 they need to battle on.

The Tyne Valley Action Group (TVAG), made up of people from Ovingham and Prudhoe, were fighting plans for a 40.5m high distribution warehouse at SCA Hygiene's Prudhoe mill.

Despite a record 1,300 letters of objection to the plans, Tynedale Council granted permission for the work in June, after a referral to the Government Office North East (Gone) decided the power to grant permission lay at Tynedale's door.

The villagers have been putting together evidence for a legal challenge to the application and today is the deadline for that submission.

But they said yesterday they had been unable to afford the £80,000 needed for a judicial review.

TVAG chairwoman Sylvia Linnett said: "It's tremendously disappointing. "We have never changed our opinion on the warehouse and the fact it will have a detrimental impact on the area and it is with reluctance that we withdraw from the challenge. What do you need to do to convince those people who are there to represent you?"

Ken Rusby, of Piper Road, Ovingham, said: "We were told by an expert barrister in London that we had a good case to successfully challenge Tynedale Council's decision but unfortunately, not enough people are prepared to put up money to cover the risk of losing.

"It is appalling that in our 21st Century democracy a group of tax-paying citizens have no other means of challenging what we believe is a flawed decision by a public body."

Tynedale director of planning Helen Winter said: "Tynedale Council was acutely aware of the significant level of public concern regarding the impact of the development."

She said a site visit had been carried out and members had been given copies of letters of objection and support before a decision was made.

"These were fully taken into account when making the planning decision," she said. "This was an extremely difficult decision for the council to take because the distribution centre will clearly be very prominent.

"However, improving the local economy by securing existing jobs and bringing more employment to the area was a major factor in the decision."

SCA factory and site manager, Andy Woodburn said: "I have been informed by the residents that they will not be pursuing a judicial review of the planning application for a new international distribution centre.

"We have been working in consultation with local residents regarding a number of options to minimise the visual impact of the new building."

Page 2: Planners reject protests over recycling centre