The application, seeking to raise the library floor level, replace the spiral staircase, replace the mezzanine and install customer service pods, was brought before councillors at the Tynedale Local Area Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Fifteen neighbours were notified of the plans and Northumberland County Council received no objections or supporting comments.
Coun. Cath Homer asked for more information on the staircase, and planning officer Daniel Puttick explained that, to replace the spiral staircase, a new L-shaped staircase would be installed. Beneath it would be an area for seating.
Haydon and Hadrian’s Coun. Alan Sharp said: “We know the importance of the Queen’s Hall to Hexham and the proposals are sensitive, as I can see from the report, so I totally support the decision of the planning officer.”
Coun. John Riddle, from Bellingham, added: “It is a great building with a great historic past and this looks like it will have a great impact for the future.”
Councillors unanimously approved the application, subject to the planning officer’s conditions, to ensure the works are carried out in a manner consistent with the heritage of the building.
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