A PLANNING application that could see major changes at a Tyne Valley mental health hospital is set to go before councillors next week.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust submitted an application relating to Ferndene Hospital in Prudhoe to Northumberland County Council in January.

The proposal would see an extension built, along with external remodelling of the existing buildings.

The work would allow the trust to provide both low and medium secure facilities at the site as part of a bid to bring the trust’s mental health services under one roof.

If approved, the proposals would see patients under 18 rated as medium secure moved from St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth to Ferndene.

Councillors on the county council's strategic planning committee will decide on the application via a virtual public meeting on Tuesday at 4pm.