Plans of a Conservative party boss and mansion owner for executive homes in a Northumberland village are facing opposition.

Anthony Braithwaite, who is president of a Tory branch association in the county and owner of Haughton Castle near Hexham, is seeking to build 20 “high quality” homes at Humshaugh.

However, his proposal is facing opposition from 25 local residents – including a one-time chief executive of Nissan in the UK.

A political rival who is running for parliament is also objecting while parish councillors have welcomed the scheme but expressed concerns.

The would-be MP has called for an increase in the affordable housing proposed claiming the scheme “does nothing to address the housing needs of local people,” while parish councillors have voiced fears about the village “growing too fast, too quickly” with another housing scheme recently allowed.

The application is for outline permission for “approximately” 20 homes on land east Of East Lea.

It has been submitted on behalf of Haughton Castle Estate. Although he is not named on the application form, the castle – a grade one listed 13th century private country mansion – is owned by Mr Braithwaite – president of the Hexham Constituency Conservative Association.

Documents submitted by agents, the Darlington office of Smiths Gore reveal the development, is to be 20 high quality homes with “up to” 30% to be affordable.

Yet the application is facing 25 objections from local residents, including John Cushnaghan, a one-time chief executive of Nissan in the UK.

Liam Carr, Labour candidate for Hexham at next year’s general election, has also voiced opposition, backing Humshaugh Parish Council’s calls for the 30% figure to be rigidly enforced.

He said: “Humshaugh is in a conservation area, the voices of local residents must be heard if our rural villages are to retain their character.

“This type of executive housing development may be very profitable but it does nothing to address the housing needs of local people.

“I fully support the position laid out by the parish council that the development must have more than 30% affordable houses for local families.”

Parish council chairman Kirsten Francis said members welcomed the scheme overall but have some concerns.

She said: “We have got concerns because it is coming on the shirttails of another development for 14 houses.

“We have got concerns about the village growing too fast, too quickly. We have got concerns about the access in particular.

“We would like to work with them to ensure it is safe.”

Yet she added: “We do not think it is a bad scheme, it looks as if it is quality housing with an affordable element.

“It will bring people that will be an asset to the village, that will be of benefit to the shopkeeper.

“On the whole we do not think it is a scheme that we would necessarily object to.

“If it is about providing quality housing with an affordable housing that are well designed and add to the attractiveness of Humshaugh that would be something we would support.

“That kind of development is something that could contribute to village life.”

Robert Murphy, an associate at Smiths Gore in Darlington, was approached for comment. None was provided.