Demolition work is almost complete on the former Morpeth First School in Goose Hill to clear the site for redevelopment.  

 

The County Council has submitted a planning application for the site which, if granted planning permission, will enable the development of a 142 space car park, creating extra capacity in the town for residents and visitors. 
 

If granted planning permission, the car park would be built with the future in mind, with six electric vehicle charging points initially, and the ability to double this if needed. There would also be eight disabled bays. 

 

The scheme is part of the county council’s £10m parking improvements scheme throughout Northumberland, which follows from detailed parking studies and action plans created for a number of market towns in conjunction with town and parish councils. 
 

Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “Market towns like Morpeth need to have plenty of parking spaces for local residents who come to shop and for the many visitors that are welcomed to the town every year. 
 

 “That is why we are proposing to invest in this new car park. 
 

 “However, we’re conscious we also need to look at ways of driving down carbon emissions in Northumberland and, if this scheme gets approval, it will have more electric vehicle charging points than any other car park we own.” 
 

Morpeth Stobhill Councillor John Beynon added: “Now Morpeth First School is well-established on its brand new site the old building was just standing empty and anyone who visits Morpeth regularly knows how difficult it can be to park, especially at weekends. 
 

“If approved, hopefully this new facility will take a lot of the strain off the town centre and encourage more trade and visitors.”