A NEW supermarket, hotel and additional car parking spaces for the public are planned as part of a multi-million pound development in Hexham.

Detailed plans for the former bunker site on Alemouth Road are set to be unveiled in a public consultation meeting at the town’s Queen’s Hall between 4pm and 7pm today.

Newcastle-based Summers Inman Construction & Property Consultants is inviting members of the public to view draft proposals, with hotel chains Travelodge and Premier Inn both believed to be interested in the site. The identity of the potential supermarket chain was being kept disclosed at this stage.

Northumberland County Council is close to agreeing a deal to purchase part of the site for an extra 250 public car parking bays.

Cath Homer, county councillor for Hexham East, said she was delighted with the proposals. She said: “We welcome the investment into a site which has been derelict for more than a decade, and we need as many people to come to the consultation to give their opinions before a planning application goes in.

“The car parking and hotel will be huge boosts for the town. There is a gap in the market for an hotel as we market ourselves as the gateway to Hadrian’s Wall.

“The extra car parking spaces will encourage more people to come into the town and park up to visit some of our fantastic restaurants and shops.”