Nine townhouses approved on Allendale Road, Hexham

The plans, which were submitted in two separate applications, will see the demolition of Murraryfield on Allendale Road and the site redeveloped with four semi-detached townhouses and five “self-build” 1.5-storey homes. The townhouses will also have their own garages.

The plans were recommended for approval by council planners. However, members of the Tynedale Local Area Planning Committee struggled with the townhouses application in particular, with an initial vote to approve being voted down before further discussions eventually saw a narrow approval.

READ MORE: Former Labour mayor challenges Hexham MP to debate

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting (October 15) of the committee, applicant Tim Anderson of small-scale developer Dockleaf said: “I was brought up in Corbridge and have raised three now adult children here. We’re wedded to this part of the world.

An image showing what the proposed homes would look like (Image: Dockleaf Developments) “We have completed small-scale developments over recent years in Corbridge, Riding Mill, Chollerford and Lowgate. We love creating amazing homes in and around the Tyne Valley.

“Reputation is fundamental to the success of any business. We care – our legacy and the impact we have matters to us. When we find a suitable development opportunity we want to make something really special.”

However, the plans received a total of 35 objections between them. Hexham Town Council also objected to both applications, raising concern about the loss of trees, highways safety and the impact on the conservation area.

The town’s former mayor, Bob Hull, spoke at the meeting to object. He said: “This development would be a very bad one for Hexham, and should be turned down.

“There are already serious concerns about the dangers to school children on that road with the narrow road and narrow pavements.”

Hexham East councillor Suzanne Fairless Aitken was also concerned about the impact on the Allendale Road. She said: “We’re adding eight extra cars to an already busy road. It’s awful there twice a day.”

Hexham West councillor Derek Kennedy added: “I have been a councillor for 20 years and I have been campaigning endlessly about the Allendale Road. You can’t widen it, its impossible.”

However, officers pointed out that the council’s highways department felt the new development provided an improvement on the current access. A motion to approve the application was initially voted down by six votes to five; however, when no motion to refuse was forthcoming, a second vote to approve was passed by the same margin.

The second application was more warmly received after members were told there was a need for three-bedroom properties and bungalows in Hexham. However, Coun Colin Horncastle was concerned that the plots would be sold off and not developed by the applicant.

He said: “The problem with this is from a planning point of view, there is no reason to turn it down. However, don’t for one minute think that what we pass today is what you’re going to get.

“These plots are going to be sold off. You can only look at what is in front of us, but don’t think this is what we’re going to get.”

Despite this, the plan was voted through by 10 votes to one.