SWEEPING changes have been proposed to the electoral boundaries of Northumberland in a bid to combat inequality between council wards.

The proposals, made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCS), differ significantly from those made by the county council themselves in January – but residents will now have the chance to have their say before any changes are implemented.

The review was trigged after Northumberland met the LGBCE’s threshold for “electoral inequality” in a number of divisions, with one ward – Cramlington West – set to have 85 per cent more residents than the county average by 2028 due to an influx of housing developments.

The aim is to achieve electorate numbers in each division that are within 10 per cent, plus or minus, the average for the county. As such, a number of other council wards would also be redrawn to fall in line with the electoral commission’s requests, with the proposed changes available to view via an interactive map online.

The consultation will run until July 10. After this, the LGBCE will prepare a final set of proposals for the new wards, which will be published on October 3.

We’ve rounded up all the proposed changes affecting Tynedale below:

Bellingham, Humshaugh and Rothbury

The council proposed three unchanged divisions for the rural west of the county, while acknowledging that Bellingham would have 18 per cent fewer electors and Rothbury 18 per cent more. However, the LGBCE proposed including Elsdon – currently in the Rothbury ward – in the Bellingham ward, as well as the parishes of Rothley and Wallington Demesne, currently in the Longhorsley division.

Furthermore, the parishes of Brinkburn and Hesleyhurst – currently in the Rothbury division – would be moved to the Longhorsley ward. The Humshaugh division would remain unchanged, as suggested by the council.

Ponteland and surrounding area

Ponteland East and Stannington is forecast to have 11 per cent more electors than average by 2028, while Ponteland South with Heddon is likely to have 14 per cent fewer. The council proposed to amend the boundary between Ponteland East & Stannington and Ponteland South with Heddon by moving the existing boundary from Eastern Way to the B6323 Callerton Lane.

The LGBCE has adopted those boundaries; however, it has also suggested changes to the boundary between Ponteland North and Ponteland South with Heddon, which the council had left unchanged. It is proposed that the boundary is moved north to include a portion of Darras Road in Ponteland South with Heddon.

Prudhoe

The council had proposed retaining the existing three divisions of Prudhoe North, Prudhoe South and Stocksfield. However, because both Prudhoe wards would have too many electors, the LGBCE has suggested that the new Prudhoe Hall development is moved into the Stocksfield ward.

To compensate, the parish of Broomhaugh and Riding would move to the Corbridge ward.

Furthermore, Cross Street, Rolley Way, Tilley Crescent and Towneley Court in Prudhoe would move from Prudhoe South to Prudhoe North, along with numbers 1-22 on Castlefields Drive. The boundary between the two wards would also switch from its existing route along South Road and Highfield Lane to run behind the properties on West Road, then heading south towards the high school.

This would mean all properties on South Road would be in Prudhoe South.

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Hexham

The council had proposed keeping all three Hexham wards the same. However, because Hexham West would have 13 per cent fewer electors by 2028, the LGBCE proposed some changes.

A Hexham North division would replace Hexham Central with Acomb, and would contain both Acomb and Sandhoe along with all electors in Hexham north of a boundary following the A695 and B6531. Anick View would remain in Hexham East, while two properties – Highwood Farm and Highwood Cottage – would be included in Hexham North despite being south of the B6531.

The division between Hexham East and West would follow St Cuthbert’s Lane, Longlands and St Mark’s Road before following the existing Hexham East/West boundary along the Dipton Mill Road.

Bywell and Corbridge

The existing Bywell ward would be retained, while there would be two small changes in the Corbridge ward. As mentioned, the parish of Broomhaugh and Riding would move from Stocksfield to Corbridge, while Sandhoe would move from Corbridge to a Hexham ward.

Haltwhistle, Haydon Bridge and South Tynedale

No changes to the wards of Haltwhistle, Haydon and Hadrian and South Tynedale were proposed by either the council or the LGBCE.