FRUSTRATION is growing as a former bus station remains derelict and on the market with no potential buyers.
Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy, is one resident and town official keen to get some attraction to the site but fears it will continue to be on the market for many more years.
He said: "The old bus station still remains up for sale and has been for sometime.
"It appears there is little interest in purchasing the site and therefore I can see no end in sight unless a developer steps in.
"The price would have to be right to attract a developer. This is frustrating and a key site in Hexham.
"The council is investing £2m into developing the Heritage high street to improve the town but we are blighted by the old bus station being left as a bomb site.”
The site was closed after a new station was built on Loosing Hill in 2016.
An advertisement at the time on the property consultants Youngs RPS website said the site extends to 0.82 acres and is suitable for residential/commercial use subject to planning consent.
Dysart Developments announced plans in 2016 to create 2,466 square metres of commercial space, as well as an underground car park, 31 apartments and five affordable homes, as well as a much-needed pedestrian route through to the home of Marks & Spencer and B&M stores on Maidens Walk but plans failed to materialise.
Then in 2019 Northumberland County Council had expressed an interest in taking on the site, but the sale failed to materialise as they claimed the asking price of £1.5m was too high. So Dysart put the site back on the market.
Now, a few years later, the site is now being advertised on Savilles but with no price to view. Instead on the information package it said 'offers Invited by Noon Wednesday, November 8 2023.'
It also advises future owners that The Ropery (the official name' is currently listed, however, the building has no historic value and demolition may be permitted by Northumberland County Council, subject to the requisite statutory permissions.
A spokesperson for the council said: "The Council is aware that the old Hexham Bus Station has been put up for sale by its owners Dysart Developments"
Several attempts have been made to contact Dysart.
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