DERELICT and overgrown school grounds in Allendale could be given a new lease of life.

The playing field and gardens at Allendale First School have been surplus to requirements since 2013. A shake-up in the education system meant the first school moved into the neighbouring middle school building, establishing the new Allendale Primary School.

Now community group Allen Valleys Enterprise Ltd is holding talks with Northumberland County Council over a possible asset transfer of the old first school grounds.

If the plan bears fruit, the playing field, gardens, and Medway Block building would be owned and managed by the community.

Representing Allen Valleys Enterprise Ltd, Andy Lees delivered a presentation to Allendale Parish Council last Thursday. Mr Lees stressed that the scheme was in the early stages, and while Allen Valleys Enterprise was fronting the asset transfer proposal, it is yet to be established whether the group, or another community organisation, would take on the running the grounds.

He revealed the group had been approached by locally-based social enterprise Higher Ground, which is seeking land to create a therapy garden to be used by people recovering from mental health problems.