PLANS are being drawn up for the redevelopment of the former Workhouse site in Hexham.

Some of the buildings, which stand on Corbridge Road on land owned by the HMC Group, date back to the 1830s but have been left to decay while the site was marketed as a development opportunity.

Officials at Northumberland County Council stepped in after the site became a target for thieves and vandals, and ordered the group to tidy up the site

An official notice under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 was issued to ensure the appearance of the land and buildings was improved.

Daniel McArdle, director of estates at the HMC Group, said steps had already been taken to secure the site and clear out the buildings to reduce the potential fire risk.

But since the order was issued earlier this summer, all windows had been boarded up, vegetation cleared and hoardings installed.

He added that the group had received an offer for the land but that it was not suitable, and a decision had been taken to remove it from the market.

"Since March I think it's fair to say we have been actively looking at the future of the site," said Mr McArdle.

"We want to put something there which fits in with the surroundings, but which is also of a high standard.

"We've commissioned a planner who is pulling together some schemes around retirement living and maybe some kind of care facility."

After speaking to planners, local councillors and Hexham Civic Society, he added that he hoped a pre-planning application could be submitted for consideration by the end of the year.