PARISH councillors in Corbridge have sought legal advice on whether they could challenge the decision to grant planning permission for 233 new homes in the village.

Such was the opposition to plans by Gladman to develop land off Milkwell Lane, which was approved by Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee last month, that parish councillors have considered calling for a judicial review.

They, along with almost 100 objectors, argued that access arrangements to the new properties, which would be past Corbridge Middle School and via the narrow Cow Lane, would put children’s safety at risk.

Questions were also raised over the inclusion of a strip of school land, owned by the county council, which is required as part of the proposal to widen Cow Lane.

It is feared the population explosion brought about by such an influx of new residents could put pressure on the community’s infrastructure, choke the already busy village centre and reduce the appeal of Corbridge as a tourist destination.

But protests from local people fell on deaf ears when ward councillor, Coun. Jean Fearon, was the only planning committee member to object to the application being approved in February.

Chairman of Corbridge Parish Council, Coun. Maurice Hodgson, told the latest meeting that the Hexham law firm Nicholson Portnell had been consulted.

“They were handed all the paper work and it is their considered opinion that we should only pursue a judicial review if we were absolutely sure we could win,” said Coun. Hodgson.

“And sadly there is no guarantee of that. It could also cost us a six figure sum, which is not feasible.”

Coun. David Walton said: “I feel sorry for the people of Corbridge who will lose their countryside and sorry that we haven’t got a louder voice at Northumberland County Council.”

After three years on the parish council’s planning sub-committee, Coun. Walton said he had taken the decision to step down.

“It’s clear the county council is not going to listen to us and as far as I am concerned it has no credibility.”

Coun. Graham Curry said: “I really feel for the councillors who have put so much work into fighting this, but you have to realise when you‘re beaten.”

Coun. Hodgson said: “The ongoing Taylor Wimpey building and now the Gladman plan are both major applications which will have a lasting impact on Corbridge.

“We, as a parish council, have done our utmost to obtain a different result and we must not consider this a failure down to us. We have done more than anyone could have expected.

“In a battle which I would liken to a heavyweight versus a featherweight, against all expectations, the contest went the full distance.

“We now need to capitalise on this and make sure we get the best deal out of it for the residents of Corbridge. We have no other choice.”

Councillors pledged to continue to engage with the county council over the progress of the development once it gets under way.

And they also put forward the suggestion that a public meeting should be held in the village once the full detail of traffic regulation orders relating to the access to the site were drawn up.

gemma.brown@hexham-courant.co.uk