Minister to judge plans
PUBLIC INQUIRY OVER RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
CAMPAIGNERS have been given fresh hope after it was announced controversial plans for a multi-million-pound out-of-town development are set to go before a public inquiry.
More than 1,700 people objected to proposals for a retail park, 200 homes and a new school on the current County Hall site in Morpeth, but Northumberland County Council gave the plans the green light.
Now the application will be reviewed and determined in a public inquiry after being called in by the Secretary of State Sajid Javid.
David Holden of opposition residents’ group the South Morpeth Coalition believes the voices of the objectors are finally being heard.
He said: “The resolutions passed at the planning committee were disgraceful and made a mockery of the Morpeth Neighbourhood Plan, which was endorsed by nearly 4,000 residents last year with a 93% majority.
“Retail and housing are not suitable uses for this site, which is clear in the plan.
“The principle of a new school is supported but the suggested location opposite a fast food drive-through is appalling.”
Requests for the plans to be called in were submitted by the South Morpeth Coalition and the Chamber of Trade, while MPs Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Guy Opperman, as well as representatives from Morpeth Town Council, wrote to the Secretary of State.
Coun Peter Jackson, leader of Northumberland Conservatives, said: “Ever since the Labourrun council came up with these terrible and costly plans, there has been huge opposition from people living in Morpeth, councillors and MPs alike. This administration pressed ahead regardless.
“Now this ill-thoughtout scheme will be scrutinised more than ever and we welcome a public inquiry, which we believe will recommend these plans are abandoned.
But council leader Grant Davey branded the move a “blatant political intervention” which will “stop” progress in Northumberland.
He said: “We wanted to return council jobs and more than 30 services to market towns like Alnwick, Berwick and Hexham, yet Northumberland Tories have teamed up with their government to try to put a halt to that.
“Local Tories have sat idly by while their government has slashed grants by over £190m, put a stop on their ‘dual the A1’ promise, halted affordable housing funding, slashed £16m from school funding and yet they now want to stop the council saving money.”
A public inquiry will be arranged by the Planning Inspectorate to consider all the relevant aspects of the proposed developments in a report to Mr Javid, who will make the final decision.
Speaking on the recent announcement, a spokersperson for Northumberland County Council said: “This is clearly a contentious issue which has generated a lot of political debate.
“We note the decision of the Secretary of State but as we are currently in purdah ahead of local elections in May we are unable to comment further.”