blackdamp

Coun Dougie Watkin said: "They are not happy with the assurances being given by British Coal over the stythe problem.

Concerns have been voiced not only over the stythe gas, but also traf-fic, flooding, proximity to homes and ability of services to cope.

One of the biggest concerns was fears that the development would increase the risk of stythe seeping out of old mineworkings under the town and into people's homes.

Hundreds of people backed a campaign against the plans, with one of their biggest concerns being fears the development will increase the risk of stythe seeping out of old mineworkings under the town and into people's homes.

Hundreds of people backed a campaign against the plans with one of their biggest concerns fears that the development will increase the risk of stythe seeping out of old mineworkings under the town and into people's homes.

Stythe - also known as black damp - has resulted in previous fatalities in the UK, and its presence has led to some homes in Cramlington having to be evacuated and monitored in the past.

Stythe gas escaping from old workings has led to homes in the town being evacuated and monitored in the past - and residents fear the disturbance caused by building so many new houses will increase the risk.

"Banks were keen to learn what people's views are, bearing in mind the years of previous opencasting here, and I was keen to be involved to raise issues such as stythe gas.

She said there were a number of reasons why local people were opposed to the development of the land, including the loss of valued open space near the town centre and the risk posed by stythe gas from old mine workings beneath the site.