THE scheme to turn the old police station and courtroom complex at Bellingham into a veterinary surgery is back on the agenda.

The original scheme by Hexham-based Orchard House surgery was withdrawn in June, because of the absence of a wildlife survey, but that stumbling block seems to have been removed.

Orchard House wants to set up a veterinary surgery for small animals, with a consulting room, operating theatre and pharmacy, as well as a small car park.

While the application includes provision for dog kennels and a cattery, no animals will be kept on site overnight.

There will be a full time vet and a receptionist at the surgery from Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 6pm, with a veterinary nurse on duty three days a week.

The application also involves the conversion of the former court room, last used as a home for Bellingham youth club, into a three bedroomed house.

An array of photo-voltaic panels will also be fixed to the south facing roof slope of the former police station.

It is anticipated that there will be a daily pharmaceutical delivery, and clinical waste will be collected once a week.

The original application attracted some opposition from neighbouring businesses, but that seems to have dissipated.

A flurry of activity in the area has seen the new static caravan park laid out on the Burnside, and very nice it looks too, while the other principal objector, Nixons the plumbers and electricians, has announced it will be ceasing to trade before Christmas following the retirement of proprietor Robin Nixon.

That clears away a couple of objections, so hopefully, the vets will be operating by the spring.

The vets say: “The proposals provide an excellent opportunity for an appropriate re-use of a redundant building in the village and the proposed veterinary surgery will provide a valuable service to the village.”

THE demise of Friday night discos has meant there is not as much fighting in the village as there used to be, but help for frustrated pugilists is at hand from the gym in the Foundry Yard.

It has just started a six-week boxing course, with separate sessions for children aged five to eight, ladies only, and mixed.

It should be noted that this is non-contact boxing, and is designed to improve levels of fitness, self-esteem and confidence.

Ring (01434) 221161 for details.

DON’T forget that the Mile Bank will be closed at night from Monday for the next months or so, so that much-needed road resurfacing work can be carried out.

The first phase of the £750,000 scheme runs from the Croft to the Bridgeford crossroads, and diversions will be signposted for those abroad after dark!

THE town hall’s money-spinning prize bingo session will take place on Thursday evening, with eyes down at 7.30pm.