Posted on Jun 16, 2004

Today a petition containing 554 signatures which overwhelmingly opposed the proposed development at Benthall, Beadnell, was handed in to Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council: this was accompanied by 87 completed questionaires from the May 2nd village meeting where revised plans from the developer were on display. There is still grave concern regarding the scale of the proposed development both in numerical terms and in regard to the effect that this would have on the quality of life for both residents and visitors alike: there is a generally held concensus of view which questions the ability of the infrastructure to cope with such a huge increase in development, particularly in respect of the treatment of sewage and the burden on the local highways. There is also concensus on the need to look at the mixture of dwellings proposed given that a small coastal village should not have an urban design imposed upon the natural harmony and beauty of the landscape. We are still unaware of the proposed date for this application to be heard by the Planning Committtee, but this site will have the relevant information as soon as it is known.