£11m redevelopment plans at Belford Golf Club split opinion

An outline application by Moorlands Holdings (NE) Ltd for a redevelopment of the golf club site has resulted in nearly 50 letters of support and objection.

Club owners David and Michael Ratliff want to build 21 new homes, a farm shop, retail units, offices, a sports pitch, two tennis courts, an extended clubhouse, new driving range, bowling green, play park, mother and toddler facilities and micro-brewery.

It is a scaled-down version of a £12 million development refused last year.

The public comments are split almost 50/50 between those in favour and those against.

READ MORE: New plans lodged for £11m redevelopment of golf club site

Many objections highlight concerns about how the village infrastructure and services could cope, with only one GP surgery, a small school and a private dentist.

Paula Coogan, from Belford, wrote in objection that “the village can not sustain all these new properties.”

Other objections contain an environmental angle, with many people concerned about the loss of green space and harm to the wildlife.

Fiona Brier, who visits Belford regularly, wrote: “The golf course is a green space, why encroach onto more of our domestic wildlife spaces? Red squirrels, deer, hedgehogs etc, our wildlife is in decline yet we continue to remove green spaces.”

Many people objecting the plans are doubting those who are in support.

William Bennett, who lives on the High Street, wrote: “Have you looked at the addresses of the supporters? There aren't many in our village who support his plans.”

However, comments still show people from the village who are all for (the) Radcliffs’ plans and claim objections come from an “unfair bias”.

A village resident hoping the development would regenerate the village, wrote: “The village needs this as most of the shops and facilities have gone.”

Amber Jobes, from Belford, added: “I can only see the proposed changes being a huge benefit to the village we don’t have many shops or facilities at all in the village and I for one would love to see more and to see the village grow economically and the outdoor facilities would be an amazing addition.”

David Ratliff responded: "Many many plans for large developments have been approved in the county in the last two years despite often huge objections. Almost none of these have offered our proposed facilities."

He claims there was a positive response to the proposed development in the initial public consultation and in village surveys, together with a 70-signature petition.

He also responded to concerns about the environmental impact by adding: “We have had positive full ecological and heritage reports to back our plans.”

Mr Ratliff continued: “Given we had 17 shops, now three, including the pharmacy, when we had two busy supermarkets, and the hardware shop has closed, the prospects for young people to work and shop locally get worse. Just look at thriving Wooler and Rothbury with similar populations .There is no comparison. Holiday owners and guests are vital, so the views of such are valid.”