THE FORMER headquarters of Northumbria Police is set to undergo a radical transformation.

Bellway Homes is to transform a collection of listed buildings at the site, off North Road in Ponteland, into 22 homes.

The Northumbria Police headquarters opened on the site in November 1981 but most of the buildings were no longer deemed fit for purpose.

However, the more modern Northern Communications Centre and Command Suite, which was built in 1999 will be retained by the police force.

The buildings being renovated include the Superintendents’ House and a range of Grade II listed cottages built in the early 1900s to house children away from the Newcastle workhouses.

The work is already well under way, and Bellway is expected to release the homes on to the market in the near future.

Chris Lawson, head of sales for Bellway North East, said: “This will be a rare opportunity for buyers to own a historic listed building which offers the comfort and convenience of a new build home.

“Given the site’s historical and architectural significance, we were mindful of the importance of preserving its proud heritage.

“As well as refurbishing the listed buildings to create new homes, we have also retained as much of the natural landscape as possible to ensure the unique character of the site is maintained.

“The layout of the existing site, with the properties grouped around a village green, lends itself perfectly to creating an attractive and well-designed new neighbourhood. hat is why we were keen to make this the focal point of the new development.”

The 23-hectare site was purchased by Bellway in 2018 for £21m, with the agreement that the proceeds of the sale would be reinvested back into policing across Northumberland.

The refurbishment is part of a wider development of 275 homes, which are being delivered by a partnership between Bellway and Ashberry Homes, known as Ottermead at Jameson Manor.