PONTELAND residents are to be consulted over plans to turn the site of the town’s current library into residential apartments.

The proposals from Ascent Homes, part of Arch, The Northumberland Development Company, are to build 34 two-bedroom apartments for open market sale, built in two four-storey blocks, with associated parking.

An exhibition will be held on Wednesday, October 26 at Ponteland Social Club, in Merton Road, from 3pm to 6.45pm, where the public are being invited to comment on the proposed development plans.

Representatives acting on behalf of Ascent Homes will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback from the public about the proposals.

Dave Ledger, chairman at Arch, said: “Arch has considered various uses for the site – both commercial and residential – but given the general shortage of housing in the Ponteland area and the site’s central location, we believe a residential development will deliver greater benefits to the local community, providing more choice for people in the housing market.”

While Ponteland library remains open at its current premises on Thornhill Road, it is set to move before the end of the year to its new surroundings at Ponteland Leisure Centre, less than half a mile away.

This will be a medium-term arrangement until a permanent home is established as part of Ponteland’s ambitious £57m shared site development, scheduled for completion in 2019, which will include new school buildings alongside leisure and information services on the current leisure centre site.

Arch hope to redevelop the Ponteland Library site as soon as possible after the relocation of the library, to ensure that it does not become derelict. A ground condition survey is currently under way to look into the foundations needed for a redevelopment.