CALLS by Hexham Civic Society say the county council's masterplan for a former middle school site should be 'community-led'.

An Annual General Meeting will be held to explore the future of the old Hexham Middle School site on Wanless Lane.

The brief meeting, organised by Hexham Civic Society, will be followed by a public presentation and discussion led by architect Tim Mosedale of Mosedale Gillatt Architects.

Northumberland County Council announced in March that a masterplan would be commissioned to determine the site's future, however, there has been no decision made yet.

Members of Hexham Community-Led Housing, alongside Tim Mosedale, will present plans and ideas for the site's potential development.

Chair of Hexham Civic Society, Roger Higgins, said: "Hexham Civic Society shares the concerns of Hexham residents over the continued lack of plans by Northumberland County Council for the vacated Middle School site on Wanless Lane.

"We stated when the plans were drawn up to move the school to a new site that it was imperative that the old site, with its beautiful Grade II listed buildings, was not left to rot, but unfortunately this seems to be the case. While the occasional use of the buildings as a filming venue is great, it is not a sustainable permanent use.

"If the buildings can no longer be in educational use we would like to see them become the focus for a community-led housing scheme, with retained buildings, sensitive new development and open space for Hexham to enjoy. We do not want to see the site sold off to the highest bidder for yet more 'executive housing'. 

"We support Councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken and Councillor Penny Grennan's initiative through Hexham Town Council to consult residents on their ambitions for the site, and we urge the county council to step up with its long-awaited but so far unseen 'masterplan'. Any masterplan should be community-led, not dropped on us. 

"We hope that people will come along and share their ideas for what could happen on this amazing site, in the heart of Hexham."

The old school site comprises five hectares of land, a Grade II listed building dating back to 1910 and is home to Hexham's Community Garden, which is managed by Transition Tynedale and supported by Grow Hexham.

The middle school was formerly known as Queen Elizabeth County Junior Grammar School.

Ideas presented for the site by Hexham Town Council include proposals for a Community Hub and Film School.

A spokesperson for the council said: "We revealed details to master plan the former Hexham Middle School site. This work is underway and we are currently out to tender for a consultant to support us in the process.

"As part of the work, the views of stakeholders in Hexham will be sought. At this early stage, there have not been any ideas rejected. The Hexham Hub includes membership from both the Town Council and County Council and these matters have been discussed in that forum. We hope this will continue to be an appropriate place to do so, with all parties working together to enable appropriate future development on this site."

The meeting and presentation will take place upstairs at The Beaumont Hotel on Tuesday, September 5 from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Refreshments will be provided and audience contributions to the discussion are welcomed.