PONTELAND • MILBOURNE • MEDBURN • PRESTWICK • KIRKLEY ISSUE 173 | FEB 20 FREE monthly community magazine for Ponteland and district Explosive report alleges collusion over housing scheme Race aces prove a New 20mph zones launched around Ponteland schools pushover in annual “Consternation” over car park closure barrow challenge www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 1 Belsay Woodland Burials Now Available 2650 from 2899 390 Thinking of retiring? Unsure of your options? Speak to a pensions expert For your free initial consultation give us a call on (01661) 821110 or email us at [email protected] CFS Independent Financial Advisers Limited, Lower Blyth Suite, Kirkley Hall, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE20 OAQ Pont News & Views is published by Ponteland Town Council in conjunction with Ponteland Community Partnership. Inclusion of articles and advertising in Pont News & Views does not imply Ponteland Town Council’s or Ponteland Community Partnership’s endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided. If you would like to submit an article, feature or advertise contact: T. (0191) 5191306 E. [email protected] Westray, 16 Sunniside Lane, Cleadon Village, SR6 7XB. Produced by Cian creative pr Full speed ahead as competitors hit the track Dave Taylor and Claire Richardson close in on finish line Wheeling in the New Year for record-breaking feats They are not quite silver Conlon had to settle for the runners-up Matthew Crooks and George Hunter dream machines, but spot, despite their time of 8 mins 2 secs were second in 6 mins 44 secs and Alun being second fastest time ever recorded, Woodward and Harry Walker third in Ponteland’s annual New and three-time race winner Joanne 6 mins 46 secs. Year’s Day Wheelbarrow Shallcross and her partner Hilary Ross The race, which starts at noon along were third. Race threw up plenty of a circular course, is organised by speedy thrills and spills – Amy Geddes and Drew Slater won the Ponteland 41 Club and Ponteland and a new event record. Junior Race for the third and final time – Rugby Club with support from The they will be competing in the Open Race Blackbird Inn. Watched by an estimated best-ever next year. crowd, 130 competitors took part Through sponsorship and entry fees, in three one-mile races in a In the Open Race, James and Richard over £3,000 was raised, which will be competition which is thought to date Leiper completed the course in a donated to St Oswald’s Hospice and to the 14th century. blistering 6 mins 20 secs in their Tynedale at Home Hospice. History was created in the Ladies’ Goodfellows Estate Agents wheelbarrow. Anyone who would like to sponsor a Race by Caitlin Flanagan and Zara They equalled the second fastest wheelbarrow in next year’s race should Naughton who won in 7 mins 51 secs – recorded time, set in 1985 by Ponteland contact Andy Lawson at the first time the eight-minute barrier has Rugby Club’s Wes Dixon and Geoff [email protected] been broken. Walton, who also hold the record of or on 07989 355 557. Incredibly, Joanne Brown and Nicola 6 mins 18 secs, established in 1983. All images by Colin Morgan Photography Junior Race winners Drew Slater and Amy Geddes Caitlin Flanagan and Zara Naughton seal victory in the Ladies’ Race www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 3 Bombshell report details alleged collusion over planning bid Senior council officers colluded with a developer to win the go-ahead for a giant housing scheme close to Ponteland, a shock report by Northumberland County Council has alleged. In a dramatic development to the now scrapped Dissington Garden Village (DGV) scheme, NCC has exposed the claimed subterfuge of several unnamed people in positions of authority and control within it. Developer Lugano had plans for 2,000 homes on green belt land They include a senior former planning officer who is said to have accepted “excessive” and non-declared hospitality, paid impartiality of this very senior Planning officer, who was in for by those “associated” with the application. a significant position of authority and control, regarding the The report by Daljit Lally, NCC’s Chief Executive, was planning application in question. presented to the council’s audit committee last month – and its “There is therefore serious concern of undue influence/conflict explosive contents have been forwarded to Northumbria Police. of interest on the part of the planning applicant, enabled by a It also alleges staff were instructed to use personal email senior officer in the Planning department having already offered accounts in relation to developer Lugano’s planning bid, so and given significant hospitality to a very senior officer. correspondence would be hidden from the council’s system “The matters highlighted in this report have been notified to and from Freedom of Information requests. Northumbria Police where appropriate.” And it details how Newcastle-based Lugano or its advisers Lugano’s proposals for 2,000 new homes and other facilities on were invited or allowed by a very senior planning officer to 257 hectares were handed a minded-to-approve resolution in write and alter parts of the report to NCC’s strategic planning 2017 by the then Labour controlled council. committee which recommended approval of the scheme. But the Conservatives, voted into power in May that year, At the same time, council officers sought to obtain legal advice withdrew the previous core strategy and developed a new to support Lugano’s stance, the report states. Local Plan, which required the reassessment of the DGV bid. An independent investigation commissioned by NCC - A year later, Lugano made serious allegations against NCC and following a tip off by a whistleblower - found decisions and council leader Peter Jackson, Mrs Lally and cabinet member conduct in relation to the planning application were “not for planning John Riddle, with writs then issued in the High transparent or appropriate”. Court. The report also highlights how planners’ body the Planning But in January 2019, the DGV application was withdrawn just Officers’ Society found that had “objective criteria” been days before going in front of the council’s strategic planning applied to the planning application, it would almost certainly committee again, where it was to be recommended for refusal. have been refused. Lugano then withdrew its High Court action, which cost the Instead, Mrs Lally described the recommendation to approve council £273,389 in defence costs, and Lugano Dissington it by NCC’s planning team as “entirely perverse given the Estate Ltd has now gone into administration. evidence available”. A Northumberland County Council spokesman said: “We In the report, she states: “It appears that significant efforts have a statutory obligation to uphold the duties required as a were made by several persons in positions of authority and planning authority. control within the County Council to collude with and secure a “It is only right and proper that when significant matters of number of inappropriate advantages for the planning applicant/ concern are brought to our attention, that we investigate these developer in the application in question. fully, and report and act on the findings. “Such advantages would not be conferred on any other “These related specifically to the professional conduct and planning applicant in the normal conduct of the Authority’s inappropriate behaviour surrounding a significant planning planning functions. application, which was subsequently withdrawn. “There is evidence that a former very senior Planning officer “To confirm, the employees referred to in this report are has accepted substantial hospitality (including first class rail travel, hotel accommodation and fine dining in a private room no longer employed by the council. The report will be fully of a London restaurant owned by a Michelin starred chef) from considered by audit committee at its next meeting.” the planning applicant/their agents in this specific planning A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Northumberland application. County Council wrote to us in March last year raising a number “The level of hospitality extended is excessive; and appears to of concerns. have been paid for by those associated with the application. “In June, we confirmed in writing that having considered this The senior Planning officer had not however declared this, information, we could not find anything which would warrant a contrary to the County Council’s procedures.” criminal investigation.” It adds: “There is consequently doubt on the behaviour and Lugano Property Group declined to comment on the report. 4 pontnews&views email: [email protected] OFFERSEXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ON THE DAY! Come along to our complimentary Viking Cruises Presentation Viking o er exceptional River and ursday 27th Ocean Cruises where guests explore February, 2pm at the world in comfort and style. Matfen Hall, Come along to our free presentation and Northumberland learn all about Viking’s award-winning Matfen Village NE20 0RH ships and fantastic voyages worldwide. Refreshments will be served Tickets are complimentary and essential for entry to this event. Call 01670 829922 to reserve your places now. (Tickets are limited and subject to availability) Northumbria Travel, 82 Front Street East, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 5AB. Email: [email protected] www.northumbriatravel.com www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 5 Control warning to dog owners By PC Phil Oliver, Ponteland Neighbourhood Officer There have been a number of recent Council, so please bear in mind the associated restricted reports of dogs out of control across the parking hours for areas with single yellow marking. Those parked in an obstructive or dangerous manner may be issued Tynedale area. with a Fixed Penalty Notice by the police. Motorists should Owners are reminded they have a legal responsibility to ensure not park: dogs are kept under control at all times and that failure to do so • near entrances to the school car parks can lead to a police prosecution.