A NORTHUMERLAND mayor has hit out at a housing developer for leaving what he describes as a “bombsite” in a prominent town centre site.

Hexham’s old bus station has fallen into disrepair since it was closed and replaced seven years ago.

The site on Priestpopple is owned by Dysart Developments and has been for sale for several years after plans for a mixed development of residential and commercial properties failed to come forward.

Following Dysart’s controversial plans to build a massive 2,200 home development near Cramlington, Councillor Derek Kennedy has criticised the company for the state of the old bus station site.

Dysart meanwhile has defended itself and pointed out it has attempted to work with the council in recent years to find an acceptable development option for the site.

Cllr Kennedy, who represents the Hexham West ward and is also the town’s mayor, said: “It’s very interesting that Dysart is looking to deliver a significant amount of houses totalling over 2,000 homes near Cramlington – however from a Hexham point of view, Dysart has left a bombsite in the centre of the town for the last seven years.

"It is slap bang in the middle of historic Hexham’s high street. Dysart hasn’t even done a tidying-up exercise, it has just left things falling apart and in an absolute mess.

“For a company looking to build such a huge project, it is a shame it couldn’t do that. It has been for sale for years now.”

Hexham’s high street is currently undergoing a period of regeneration thanks to the £2.4m heritage action zone. The lack of action on the bus station combined with work ongoing across the town on Priestpopple, Battle Hill and Cattle Market has only added to Cllr Kennedy’s frustrations.

He added: “It is at a time when the county council is investing millions to refurbish the high street with new pavements and restoring some buildings. The bus station is a blight.”

Responding to Cllr Kennedy’s comments, Dysart has insisted it has tried to get an agreement with the council to clear the site and “find a development option that would be both viable and acceptable in planning terms”.

Mike Clark, Dysart’s development director, added: “Although the original concept for the site was to deliver a mixed retail and residential development, this has proven to be unviable mainly due to the council’s approach to enabling and facilitating retail development in other areas of the town, making the town centre less attractive for commercial investment.

“Our focus recently has therefore been either in partnership with others or through the sale of the site to promote residential development on the site. The council’s lack of a strategic plan for the town despite it’s importance to the region has also impeded progress.

“Currently we are still awaiting the council’s views with regard to the demolition of structures on the site but following our marketing exercise we have received some interest from potential purchasers and partners which seem quite positive. These discussions are ongoing as is liaison with the county council.

“We hope that the new year will see some progress in these discussions.”

However, the county council has hit back at Dysart’s criticism.

The deputy leader of the council, Cllr Richard Wearmouth, said: “We feel it is important to highlight, given the comments from Dysart, that in the last seven years, the council has not allowed any development that could have impacted on the development of the bus station site.

"The only site that has seen any form of development that has created additional retail space is the bunker site which comprises a hotel and supermarket.

“This is not in competition with any possible use on the former bus station site in our view.  

"Ultimately the council has long said that for the right price the council would take on the old bus station site – however the council cannot pay over market value, not just out of principle, but due to the laws governing council expenditure.

“The site has been the subject of valuations by the council that have been provided to Dysart backing up our position. The site has latterly been put up for sale by Dysart but we assume it has failed to attract a buyer for the price advertised over a sustained period.

“We have sympathy for Dysart who historically had aspirations for the site’s development but after various planning applications and sale attempts cannot find a way to move a project or the site forward.

"Ultimately the council’s duty is to the residents of the town and we urge that if Dysart does not wish to develop the site itself, it releases the land for a realistic price either to someone who will develop the site or to the council. We remain open to any talks in this regard."

Cllr Kennedy has also previously suggested the developers have overvalued the site. Mr Clark pointed out that these comments indicated a “lack of attractiveness” for the site.