The Hunter developer, who lives nearby in Duckenfield, said he ‘’took an interest in everything about Morpeth’’ and evolution was the key to its ongoing success.

Morpeth businessman Trevor Richards said the village was “a dream and a 

nightmare” for developers like Mr Grugeon, who followed the scent of money and found themselves surrounded by council regulations and residents who were “trying to protect it from becoming another part of urbanisation”.

He likened it to the gold rush and said Morpeth, in this instance, “was the gold that every developer desperately wanted”. 

Mr Grugeon said residents should move with the times.

“Morpeth is my town,” he said. 

“Those who have moved into the town want everything to stop and think nothing should go any further in Morpeth.

“Keeping more people coming to Morpeth keeps the pharmacy and the butcher and the general store open.

“People want to live in Morpeth, and while ever people want to live there developers will keep knocking.’’

Council held to ransom over DA application

Morpeth residents say council is inconsistent