A NEW masterplan will be commissioned to determine the future of the former Hexham Middle School site, Northumberland County Council has announced.

Hexham Middle School moved to the existing Queen Elizabeth High School site in September 2021 and no decision on the future use of the Wanless Lane site has yet been made.

Earlier this month, the Courant reported how a petition calling for 'genuinely' affordable housing on site has been launched amid concerns that people are being priced out of living in Hexham.

The new masterplan study will look at the options for utilising the site to bring forward new investment, potentially including a mixture of housing with affordable provision and other community uses, the county council has said.

It said one of its priorities is to provide community garden facilities on part of the site.

A Northumberland County Council spokesman said the council will engage with stakeholders as the master planning exercise develops, including Transition Tynedale who manage the existing garden facilities, Grow Hexham and others with an interest in the future of the site.

He added the masterplan's development is set to get underway this spring and will report back later this year. 

Cllr Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "This is a key site in Hexham, and we’re keen to see it brought back into positive use. 

"This study will allow its future to be determined with the full involvement of all stakeholders with an interest in the site. 

"Our investment in getting this work undertaken sits alongside all our ongoing commitments to improve the town centre and invest in facilities in the area. This includes the £38m investment in the new Queen Elizabeth High School, £2.4m Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone and planned £300,000 refurbishment funding for the Shambles, a prominent Grade II listed building in the town centre."

Cllr Trevor Cessford, who represents the Hexham Central with Acomb ward on the county council, said: "The news that there will be a masterplan for this site is very welcome indeed.

"Northumberland County Council promised that local views would be sought for this site and I’m delighted that this is what is happening.

"The possible provision of new affordable housing will I’m sure be high on lots of people’s priority list along with some form of community focussed assets as well. This is good news for our town."

Hexham MP Guy Opperman said: "This is great news. This is further positive action for Hexham. The site is clearly capable of so much and I look forward to seeing the results of the masterplan work soon."