10:46AM, Thu Jun 21, 2012

£28m Prudhoe Town Centre Revamp Gets Go-Ahead

By Adrian Hogg Location: Prudhoe

An artist's impression of how the town centre could look

A controversial £28m plan for Prudhoe town centre is finally set to go ahead.

The decision marks a victory for the Duke of Northumberland in his five-year-battle to win approval for the scheme, which will bring affordable homes, a supermarket, new retail and offices to the Northumberland town.

The plan is also expect to mean 400 extra jobs after Northumberland County Council's West Area Planning Committee gave unanimous approval.

Objectors remain unhappy at the proposals, which were first put forward by Northumberland Estates in 2007.

Objections were lodged from individuals and businesses and the town's Co-op stalled the plans in a High Court case in 2009.

But after the Duke's Northumberland Estates office re-submitted amended plans the committee decided the future of Prudhoe would be significantly enhanced by the scheme and voted in favour.

The Duke's head of planning, Colin Barnes, said the proposals would revitalise the town.

He said: "The planning case, the economic case, the social case are today much stronger than they were when the former Tynedale Council first approved this application.

"It is not possible to do this development without some effect on neighbouring properties, but we have worked to mitigate the effects."

A recent planning report said that 74% of Prudhoe residents left the town to do their weekly shop, travelling to Hexham or into Newcastle.

Coun Bill Garrett, a lifelong Prudhoe resident, said: "This is a one-off opportunity.

"In the last 20 or 30 years we have seen a decline because people cannot buy what they want here.

"But we will get 17 extra shops and a modern facility."

However, major concerns have been raised over proximity of traffic to housing, sewage capabilities, environmental impact and even light pollution from a three-storey car park.
Former Prudhoe town mayor Jennifer McGee, who spoke out against the plans,
said: "The cumulative adverse effect on the town of Prudhoe and its residents is horrendous.

"The vast majority gave strong and solid reasons why this application should be turned down.

"We are being led to believe that everything is fine ... but we are not convinced."

But Coun Edward Heslop said: "The bigger picture here is a far, far brighter picture for Prudhoe.

"I hope the people of Prudhoe will come back in future and say: 'Thank God this has happened'."