Duke of Northumberland wins Prudhoe homes planning appeal

A total of 63 homes are proposed for land south of Prudhoe's Broomhouse Lane

The Duke of Northumberland has won an appeal to build more than 60 homes.

The proposed scheme in Prudhoe had twice been rejected by the Tynedale Local Area Committee.

However, the government's Planning Inspectorate ruled Northumberland Estates, the Duke's property arm, would be allowed to build the homes on land south of Broomhouse Lane.

It found the committee had been "unreasonable" in its reasons for refusal.

Councillors had heard concerns about a lack of information on housing need in Prudhoe and potential loss of amenities.

The plans were initially turned down in February, only for the application to be reheard after a councillor who left the room during the discussions voted on the plans in a breach of procedure.

They were refused again the following month despite warnings there were no planning reasons to refuse the application.

Northumberland Estates launched an appeal in August and the Planning Inspectorate has now ruled permission should be granted.

It is understood the council will not face paying the full costs of the appeal after an application for the award of costs was refused, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Planning inspector Susan Hunt said she was "satisfied with the applicant's evidence and justification for the proposed housing mix" and ruled the reason for refusal was "not adequately substantiated by the council", amounting to "unreasonable behaviour".

She added it was unclear why the lack of information on sustainability became a reason for refusal and that the council was again unable to substantiate its reasons.

However, the loss of amenity for residents of Tilley Crescent was "adequately substantiated", leading to the inspector imposing "conditions which would assist in mitigating any effects".