THE supermarket planned next to a proposed housing development in Bellingham would be a Co-op, it has been confirmed.

Plans for a new convenience store on the site of the former Bellingham Auction Mart were submitted to Northumberland County Council last year but no operator had been named.

However, the latest planning documents submitted alongside the application show it would be a Co-op.

The new store would replace the existing Co-op in the village, which is on Parkside Place.

A spokesperson for Co-op said: "Co-op is proposing to lease a new, larger store from the developer, once completed.

"The proposals would see Co-op relocate from its existing store, to the new and improved store where it would work to create enhanced range, choice and added services to better serve the community, conveniently."

Housing development company Maple Oak aims to transform the former Bellingham Auction Mart with 64 new homes, consisting of 44 houses and 20 flats.

The new store would be located on the northern boundary of the housing development, on the B6320 Otterburn Road.

The store would only be built if planning permission for the development is granted.