AFTER being sold for £460,000, one of Hexham’s most prominent public buildings looks set to be turned into 20 new homes.

Plans for Prospect House, drawn up by Stockton-based Cockerton Green Developments, seek permission to create 10 one-bedroom flats, eight two-bedroom flats and two cottages with two-bedrooms on the site.

The proposals end years of speculation over the future of the building, which was formerly the Bush Inn, before being taken over as the headquarters of Hexham Rural District Council in 1939.

The RDC added the council chamber which was subsequently used by Tynedale Council throughout its existence before the building was inherited by Northumberland County Council.

The building became surplus to requirements; council staff relocated and Hexham Town Council meetings were moved from the building. A sale was finally agreed early last year.

The Grade II-listed building sits within the Hexham Conservation Area and is just a stone’s throw away from the Grade I-listed Old Gaol and the Grade II-listed Old Grammar School.

While details within the application suggest the developers plan to retain many of the original features, it is proposed that the modern, brick extension be demolished to make way for the two cottages.

Drawings attached to the application suggest 20 car parking spaces and storage for 12 bicycles along with the creation of an inner courtyard.

The apartments would be accessed via the existing main entrance, with entry to the cottages via the rear parking area.

Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Tom Gillanders, said he was surprised the building had been sold for what he considered a knock-down price.

“As a town council, we haven’t made any comments or objections at this stage, but it’s a project we haven’t taken our eye off,” he added.

“Because of the complex make-up of the building; part of it is Jacobean and part of it is Victorian and so on, we expect the developers will be coming back and asking for changes once they see what needs to be done.

“It will have to be handled sensitively. But I think it’s right to be bringing residential property back into the centre of the town.”

A spokesman for Northumberland County Council explained what would happen to the money.

“As with all capital receipts, the money is collected centrally and then business cases submitted and prioritised for capital schemes across the county,” he said. “Recent schemes in Hexham have included the bus station redevelopment and the refurbishment of Hexham House.”