A FORMER police station could become a new bar and restaurant, plans have revealed.

A planning application has been submitted to Northumberland County Council seeking permission to convert the former police station on Bell Villas in Ponteland into a restaurant.

Current plans show that the main public seating areas and the kitchen would be on the ground floor, while staff areas and the toilets would be on the first floor.

Applicant Jim Richardson also wishes to add an outdoor seating area.

The town centre site currently has 11 parking spaces, but the proposed development would remove four of them.

Six full-time and 10 part-time staff members are proposed.

In a document submitted alongside the application, agent Simon Mcilwraith, of Collective Design, said: "The proposal looks to bring vitality to the area but also new jobs, tourism and more money through economic growth."

He added: "The overall design looks to retain the charm of the existing building. The vast majority of the building remains as it is. Alterations have been made to improve the aesthetic of the building or for commercial reasons."

For more details, search 21/03361/FUL on the county council's planning portal.