Hexham Middle School site project picks up pace
18 Jul 2024 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Consultants have been appointed as plans progress to allow a former Hexham school site to be redeveloped as a high quality residential community.
Following extremely positive feedback from Hexham residents on the Masterplan for the old Hexham Middle School, with its emphasis on open green space and homes for all ages, the same consultants, IDP, were chosen to develop a planning application for the site.
Projects are underway to resolve detailed issues associated with the ambitious scheme. This ranges from very visible steps like the design of new highways access to issues such as sustainable drainage, biodiversity/ecology and ground conditions.
As soon as the formal application is submitted, a full public consultation exercise will be carried out with Hexham residents.
Importantly, the council will be specifically looking for local individuals and groups to be involved in the creation of a long-term “design code” for the site. This will set 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 will also help set out how the refurbishment of historic buildings on the site can be sympathetically bought into new uses.
In parallel with this technical work, the Council is in dialogue with a number of potential development partners who will help the delivery of specific elements of this scheme, such as the residential extra care unit. The selected partners will be confirmed in due course.
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.”