Holiday lodges set for approval on A1 green belt

The plans have received objections despite being recommended for approval

A major development to build 20 holiday lodges on green belt land off the A1 are set to be considered by a council.

Developers GH Group are proposing to build lodges, a café, farm shop, children's play area, and a service station on land at Station Road, in Stannington, Northumberland.

A report says the plans fall within a new government exception to build on green belt but campaigners say the land should be protected.

Stannington Parish Council said it supported the "principle of development" but expressed concern over farm shop plans. A decision on the proposals will be made on Tuesday.

The development, which has been recommended for approval by planning officers, sits on green belt land which fall within the new "limited infilling" exception set out in the revamped National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduced by the current government, a report said.

The parish council accepted that the site had been "derelict for a number of years".

The site was previously developed, which involved demolished a filling station and bungalow.

'Competition travesty'

However, councillors stressed the need for a roundabout at the west and east end of Station Road, because the road had a large volume of traffic due to new developments in Morpeth.

There was no objection to the plans from the council's highways department or the police.

Nine objections were received from local residents, highlighting adverse impacts on the green belt and a lack of need for the service station or a farm shop.

The council said the another proposed farm shop was a "concern" due to the nearby Moorhouse Farm Shop and cafe on Station Road.

It said: "It would be a travesty if this level of competition was to adversely impact such a long-standing businesses."

Locals also had concerns around safety because of the site's proximity to the A1.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the Northumberland and Newcastle Society also said they could not support the application.