A COMMUNITY group has raised further concerns over the building of two new schools.

Residents in the west end of Hexham formed a steering group, Hydro Neighbourhood Group, to raise concerns over plans by Hadrian Learning Trust to bring Queen Elizabeth High and Hexham Middle School on to a shared site at the current high school.

Members initially objected to the plans over the safety of pupils going to two schools on the same site.

Group member Sarah Marshall said: “None of us are against good new school premises, but we do not believe that the QEHS site and surrounding neighbourhood is the right place to relocate the middle school.”

The group submitted an updated objection to the county council, which outlined the effect the construction of the two new schools would have on the site, the surrounding areas and town as a whole, as well as fears over damage to the heritage and Green Belt.

Mrs Marshall said: “As the decision and awareness of the plans has gone on more and more people have realised they will be affected.”

Concerns have also been raised over an alleged lack of consultation carried out by Northumberland County Council.

“The council were adding new documentation to the planning portal website on the day objections closed,” said Mrs Marshall. “With this timing, how can members of the public be expected to scrutinise everything? The drive to get the project done within two years is rushed when there’s important things to consider.”

A spokesman from the council said a comprehensive consultation exercise had been carried out, with a number of public drop-in events and ample opportunity to comment through the planning process.