PLANS to redevelop the headquarters of a North-East police force are in jeopardy, after nearby villagers objected to the scheme.

Northumbria Police Authority wants to raise the cash needed to modernise the force HQ in Ponteland, Northumberland, by building more than 150 houses on part of the site.

But about 30 people and the parish council have written letters objecting to the proposals, on the grounds that it would put a further strain on rural roads and local schools.

If the housing estate fails to win planning permission, police chiefs have warned they will have to consider moving the HQ and its 800 staff elsewhere.

A police authority spokes-man said: "If the application is turned down, we will have to very carefully examine our position."

He said he could not give details on any of the other potential sites that had been examined. "We looked at prac- tically every large site in the area," he said.

A report to the planning authority, Castle Morpeth Council, says the homes would be outside the Ponteland settlement boundary.

This means people living on the estate would have to rely on their cars to get to local shops, contrary to Government guidelines.

The council will make a decision at a meeting on Tuesday. Councillors and officers will make a site visit to the headquarters on Monday.