Northumberland Conservatives' group leader, Peter Jackson, has welcomed the news that property developer Home Group has pulled out of their application to build up to 200 new homes on the Northumberland County Hall site in Morpeth.

The news, which was confirmed yesterday (20/04) is a major setback for Labour's plans to build a new County Hall in Ashington, a project costing up to £80 million. The planning applications, which would see the demolition of the current administrative building in Morpeth, sought to approve permission to build the new houses alongside a retail development, a first school and a fast food outlet. The plans were 'minded to be approved' by Northumberland County Council's planning committee in March, with the support of Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors, despite significant local objection.

The scale of the proposals required final permission to be granted by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, meaning the government had to be satisfied that the approval met regulations and were free from political interference. At the request of Conservative MPs, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Guy Opperman, Javid 'called in' the application on March 28th, meaning the council must now defend their decision to a government-appointed inspector.

Yesterday's news that the property developer has formally pulled out of the scheme suggests waning confidence in the plans from those involved, and will likely ruffle some feathers within the local Labour Party leadership, who have previously tried to assert that the deal is finalised.

Commenting on the news, Peter Jackson stated: 'While the news of Home Group's withdrawal is welcome, we must be aware that the plans are not dead yet. The council have already made clear they will try and march on, despite continued public objection.

'Labour are refusing to let the plans lie, and opposition members from the Independent and Liberal Democrat groups have gone on record criticising us for continuing to oppose these plans. They supported Labour in getting the plans to this stage, so it is clear that only a Conservative council will stop this crazy scheme.'

Voters have a chance to voice their opinion on the £80 million scheme at the countywide elections on May 4th.