Northumberland County Council has been urged to use a "preferred" site in Hexham for social housing.

Coun Suzanne Fairless Aitken, who represents the Hexham East ward, insisted that the former Hexham Middle School site on Wanless Lane would be the ideal place to help solve the town's housing difficulties. It comes as the county council announced it has appointed consultants ahead of the redevelopment of the site.

Younger and less well-off families struggle to afford housing in Hexham due to high houses prices and rents as well as low levels of social housing. According to Rightmove, the average house price in the town was £284,105 in the past year.

Younger and less well-off families struggle to afford housing in Hexham due to high houses prices and rents as well as low levels of social housing. According to Rightmove, the average house price in the town was £284,105 in the past year.

In comparison, neighbouring towns Prudhoe and Haltwhistle had average prices of £177,605 and £159,891 respectively over the same period. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Coun Fairless-Aitken put pressure on the council to build a social housing scheme.

She said: "We hope that social and affordable housing goes there. It's what we really need.

"The council's development company, Advance, is underused and they're really quite good. We should use them to build social housing - the preferred solution is to build them ourselves

"We would then make money from it. It's a win-win and it needs to happen, we need to build proper social housing.

"The town council carried out a consultation which showed the desire for social housing. That means the council can't ignore what people want."

The councillor also outlined the need for social housing schemes in the town. She continued: "We're about 500 homes under the target for affordable housing - we need these homes.

"I have people who are fleeing domestic abuse who desperately need a home with children for lots of different reasons who are waiting and can't get a house. It means they have to move and get sent to Ashington or Blyth.

"Why is social housing not working in the west? This is a preferred site to answer our housing need in Hexham without building on the green belt."

Responding to the appointment of consultants, Coun Fairless Aitken continued: "I'm glad stuff is finally happening.

"The council just have to crack on and get on with it. It's been three years that it has been standing empty."

The council say feedback from Hexham residents placed emphasis on "open green space" and "homes for all ages". Consultants IDP have been chosen to develop a planning application for the site.

Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “It’s really good to see progress is continuing at pace on this important site in Hexham, with a lot of interest from potential developers.

“It is a large site, and it's crucial we get it right for the local community. That’s why we’re involving them throughout this process – from the Masterplanning proposals through to input into the design-code element.

“It’s an ambitious proposal but one that should become a real flagship for the town.”

Coun Sanderson has previously said the site is "full of potential" for low cost, social and affordable housing.

Responding to Coun Fairless-Aitken's comments, he added: "We could have had a large receipt by selling to a commercial house builder - but instead we are working on a masterplan that will include a mix of houses.

"That mix looks like being around 65%-70% affordable to buy and to rent, along with sheltered housing. We are also making the most of the site's environmental qualities."