I have spent
the summer travelling around the constituency, meeting as many constituents as
possible and listening to their thoughts and concerns. One issue that was
raised with me multiple times in Prudhoe is the overgrown land owned by
Northumberland Estates. The abandoned former allotment site, north of Front
Street and south of Broomhouse Lane, is owned by Northumberland Estates, and
residents of Neale Street, whose back gardens back onto the land, face problems
such as rats, overgrown vegetation and anti-social behaviour because of the lack
of maintenance on the site. The land was originally intended to be used for a
retail development and Northumberland Estates say that they still intend to use
the site for shops, however the condition of the site is unacceptable and I
have written to Northumberland Estates asking that the area be tidied up as a
matter of urgency. I hope that this matter can be resolved quickly for the
benefit of all the residents in Prudhoe.