NORTHUMBERLAND County Council has confirmed that a move could be on the cards for Ponteland fire station, but rejected claims that the station could be closed.

At a meeting of Ponteland Town Council last week, county councillor Peter Jackson, who represents Ponteland South with Heddon, raised concerns about the future of the town’s fire station.

He said: “We were all told that the fire station was going to stay where it is, but the latest plans for the schools and leisure centre have got it level and as a playing field.

“There are no plans in place for replacing it and it looks like a closure by stealth. If they are going to close Ponteland where are they going to close next? This is a county-wide issue, not just a Ponteland issue.”

Ponteland’s new secondary school and leisure centre development has been allocated £47m as part of the county council’s capital programme plan over the next three years. .

A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: “There are no plans to remove the fire station provision from Ponteland. However, the current site may be required for the new schools and leisure development so we are looking for a suitable interim option before a permanent solution and location are identified.”