WORK to create two new school buildings on one site is set to start in 12 months time.

Sue Aviston, the project manager in a £37m scheme for new buildings for Queen Elizabeth High School and Hexham Middle School, revealed at this week’s cabinet meeting of Northumberland County Council the tight timescale scheduled to ensure teaching can take place on the site in September 2021.

She said: “It is a really ambitious timescale to be in for 2021 so we can’t afford any delays. So we hope we get the approval by full council on February 20 so we can start the procurement process on February 25.

“Looking at the timescale, if we achieve that, we will be on site next February actually digging holes in the ground.”

It was revealed this week that the community will also benefit from the development with a major investment planned for sporting provision.

The town has been calling out for the use of artificial sports pitches for years and members of the public will be able to use the two all-weather pitches to be created, when not in use by the schools.

The community use was revealed following a drop-in session at the high school which invited members of the public to view outline plans and ask questions of the county council and teachers.

It was an opportunity for Graeme Atkins, the executive headteacher of the Hadrian Learning Trust which operates both schools, to receive feedback from parents.

He said: “I was delighted with the turn-out at the event and the many positive and supportive comments made by people attending.

“Lots of good questions were asked and, hopefully, people found the answers in response helpful.

“We will be undertaking a formal consultation on the proposal in the coming weeks and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part.”

Among those attending the public drop-in was Hexham West county councillor Derek Kennedy, who, as ward representative, had long been campaigning for a new building for the high school. He said: “Sixteen years I have been the councillor for this area and a new high school has been my number one priority due to the ruinous state of the current fabric.

“Overall, this is fabulous news for Hexham at long last and the prospect of having 4G sports pitches is a solution to enable the footballers of Hexham who have had nowhere to go for all-weather facilities.”