THE overgrown former Bellingham Mart site has received a facelift by owners Hexham and Northern Marts.

The mart ceased operating in 2004, and the land has become dormant, despite twice receiving planning consent for housing developments.

The site continues to be identified as a potential location for a community-led housing scheme, which could bring affordable rented housing to the village.

Outline planning consent for a residential development was granted to Yuill Homes in 2005, but never came to fruition for financial reasons.

Another application, by Hexham and Northern Marts themselves, was granted consent in 2008, but a developer was never found to take on the work.

Hexham Mart managing director Robert Addison said: “The site is an asset of Hexham Mart, therefore we carried out our annual tidy up. But there are no plans as yet for a sale.”