100 new homes for Belford

12/03/2008

PLANS to build nearly 100 homes in Belford have received planning permission despite a formal objection from Northumbrian Water.

The water authority had expressed concern that the sewage system will not cope with 92 new family homes on the southern outskirts of the village.

However, members of Berwick Borough Council's planning committee voted narrowly in favour of the scheme after hearing of the desperate need for affordable homes.

A condition has been included in the planning approval that work can not commence until the sewage concerns have been overcome.

Clark Homes and Johnnie Johnson Housing plan to build 26 smaller affordable homes within the development on greenfield land behind Williams Way and Rayham Close.

Johnnie Johnson Housing already has 45 affordable homes in the village but the extent of the affordable housing problem can be seen by the length of its waiting list.

Ian Stanners of Johnnie Johnson said: "We currently have 48 local applicants requiring two bedroom homes and nine requiring three bedroom homes and our lists closed last April so in all probability there are many more local people needing homes."

Northumbrian Water tabled a written objection to the scheme just hours before the planning committee meeting last Tuesday night, citing insufficient drains and sewers capacity to deal with these new homes. However, they did provide a caveat that a condition could be included preventing works until the problem is overcome.

Les Hall of Northumbrian Water said: "We believe that the planning condition suggested in our letter to Berwick Borough Council would offer the opportunity to consider sewage treatment issues in conjunction with the development."

Planning officers had initially been recommending approval but when Northumbrian Water revealed this new information their advice was to refuse permission.

However, Coun Geoff O'Connell, speaking on behalf of Belford parish council, said: "The provision of affordable homes is desperately sought in Belford and these proposals which include 26 affordable homes for rent and shared equity comes as Mannah from Heaven. We need our community to grow with new residents.

"To my knowledge there have been no objections to this application from the entire population of Belford Village many of whom visited a public exhibition of these proposals in the village."

The full article contains 373 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last Updated: 12 March 2008 2:28 PM

The Berwick Advertiser - www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk