Golf club is teed off as homes plan stays on course

STRAY BALLS CONCERNS RAISED OVER NINE-HOMES PROPOSAL

AN outline bid for new homes in a north Northumberland village is recommended to get the go-ahead, despite local concerns – including stray golf balls.

The application seeks permission to change the use of land south west of The Old Tweed Mill in Swarland to residential by building nine homes on the site, which would be accessed from Springwood.

The scheme is recommended for approval at today’s meeting of the North Northumberland Local Area Council.

Newton on the Moor and Swarland Parish Council has objected on the basis of drainage concerns and the impact on highway and traffic infrastructure, but the council’s flooding and highways teams have raised no concerns, subject to conditions and previous changes.

Ten letters of objection have been received from neighbours, including the owners of the Percy

Wood golf course which borders the site’s western edge.

Their objection is based on the potential future restriction on the operation of their business, in relation to the impact of stray golf balls on the development, the impact on the floodlighting on the occupiers of the new homes and drainage concerns.

Percy Wood Country Park and Golf Club is near the development site. However, following discussions with the public protection team, planners feel these issues can be dealt with through conditions attached to any planning permission.

The planning officer’s report concludes: “The location of development is considered a suitable location for new residential properties.

“It is acknowledged there will be an environmental impact resulting from the introduction of development to the area, although the social and economic benefits, as well as other environmental benefits, are considered to outweigh this.”