A FARMING event discussing interest in a natural capital project has been cancelled due to a misinterpretation. 

The Northumberland National Park Authority had scheduled a meeting for the North Tyne Farming facilitation group on March 6 at Tarset Village Hall.

It was due to evaluate potential interest in a natural capital project in the North of Tyne, but due to the 'wording' of the meeting invitation, residents believed the meeting was related to the creation of a multi-user Greenway path along a disused railway line from Bellingham to Falstone.

A spokesperson for the National Park Authority said: "The meeting scheduled for March 6 by Northumberland National Park Authority, was intended to be a meeting of the North Tyne Farming facilitation group.

"The aim of the meeting was a farmer event to discuss/scope the interest in a natural capital project in the North of Tyne to include some research work the National Park Authority is leading.

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"Unfortunately, the wording of the invitation and the focus on the idea of a multi-user Greenway path along the route of the disused railway line from Bellingham to Falstone (which was linked to natural capital) has given the wrong impression of this meeting and has understandably caused upset as to the purpose of this meeting and the intentions of the National Park Authority.

"Whilst the potential for such a project has been mooted at different forums, the so-called ‘Greenway’ is not a project of Northumberland National Park Authority and not a proposal we are actively pursuing.

"In view of the confusion and upset caused, the National Park Authority has cancelled the planned meeting for March 6 at Tarset Village Hall and will be re-scheduling a North Tyne farming facilitation meeting in the coming weeks to focus on farming and natural capital matters.

"The Authority apologises for any upset caused. We acknowledge that the two subjects should not have been combined in one event, and we fully appreciate the sensitivities around the creation of a multi-user Greenway path along this route.  

"Northumberland National Park Authority will be contacting local residents and landowners to alleviate their concerns."