IDEAS are being sought for the future of a historic building at Haltwhistle railway station.

The Grade II listed water tower was built in the 19th century, and is a relic of the steam train era.

Now owned by Haltwhistle Partnership, it has housed the town’s youth initiative, Young and Sweet, for the past five years.

But the youth group has outgrown the Water Tower, and could soon be moving to the former Hillside care home building on Park Avenue.

The partnership wants to secure ownership of Hillside from Northumberland County Council, and make it available to Young and Sweet on a lease basis.

This week, the partnership’s project officer, Andy Dean, said an agreement had been made “in principle” for Hillside, which was formerly a care home for people with learning disabilities.

If it bears fruit, the move would free up the water tower, and Mr Dean is ready to listen to ideas.

He said: “The water tower has previously been rented for business use.

“There was once a leather goods manufacturer there, so it could be made available to another business, a charity, or the voluntary sector.

“It’s a building which is part of Haltwhistle’s past, and it interests people, so we’re keen to hear what people have to say.”

Mr Dean said one suggestion has been to celebrate the water tower’s historical involvement with the railway, and transform it into a tourist attraction.

He added: “Young and Sweet has outgrown the water tower, and they believe Hillside would be an ideal venue.

“It’s a single storey building which is big enough to accommodate their needs, and it has outdoor space.

“An agreement has been reached in principle with the county council, for an asset transfer.

“We would take over the ownership of Hillside, but it would be leased to Young and Sweet, which is a registered charity in its own right.”

The partnership owns several properties in Haltwhistle, including its Westbourne House headquarters on Main Street, and a Grade II listed building in the Market Place.

It recently converted storage rooms in the Market Place building, above the Bits ‘n’ Pieces shop, into flats as part of a community housing scheme.

joseph.tulip@hexham-courant.co.uk