PLANS have been submitted to transform a former school site into a residential community.
An outline planning application was submitted for the former Hexham Middle School site to be redeveloped into housing.
The application proposes the demolition of existing buildings and walling, and subsequent erection of up to 200 dwellings (including extra care provision) and associated works.
The former school site, on Wanless Lane, is owned by the county council and in September last year, it appointed IDP Architects to look at all options for utilising this vacant land.
READ MORE: Work at former middle school site could begin by end of 2024
Consultants IDP were chosen to develop a planning application for the site after positive feedback from residents on the masterplan for the old middle school.
The public can access the outline application through the Northumberland County Council planning website. Further consultation will take place when a development partner is on board and more detailed plans emerge for the site.
The application will seek to secure more affordable housing than is required by planning policy. It also includes a long-term 'design code' for the site, setting out how every element of the new homes and buildings on the site will complement the character and quality of this scheme.
This design code also helps set out how the refurbishment of historic buildings on the site can be sympathetically brought into new uses.
In parallel with this technical work, the council continues discussions with several potential development partners who will help deliver specific elements of this scheme, such as the residential extra care unit. The selected partners will be confirmed in due course.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “We’re really pleased to have reached this important milestone for this key site in Hexham.
“We've been clear from the start we want the local community involved throughout and this will continue.
“We’re confident in the future this site will be a real flagship for the town.”
For more information, go to the council's planning portal and search reference number 24/03778/OUT.
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