COUNCILLORS are keen to involve Hexham residents in a major heritage scheme for the town in the new year.

No less than £2.4m million is set to be invested in Hexham town centre when the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme gets under way.

The initiative, which is backed by both Hexham Town Council and Northumberland County Council, will lead to four years worth of improvements to sites within the zone’s target areas of Priestpopple, Battle Hill and Cattle Market.

The Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Bob Hull, provided an update on the scheme at a recent meeting of Hexham Town Council.

He said: “We are hoping to consider a community engagement strategy to take place early in 2021.

“There will be consultations and dialogue with the community to encourage involvement.”

Coun. Hull’s update followed news that the county council was seeking to appoint an accredited conservation architect to work at the heart of the improvements.

Hexham will receive a substantial cash boost from Historic England, as well as further funding allocated as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme.

A team of local experts has already been appointed as part of the scheme.

David Coverdale will lead overall programme management including a community engagement programme, and will also be responsible for co-ordinating partnership arrangements between Northumberland County Council, Historic England, Hexham Town Council and Hexham Community Partnership.

Val Robson, a building conservation officer with the county council, will lead on the implementation of the building grants scheme.