Housing plan for site of former school approved

FORMER middle school building that has stood empty for almost a decade is set to be redeveloped into housing.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Computer image of how the new development could look

Councillors in Northumberland have given the green light to plans to convert the former Duke's Middle School in Alnwick into 13 apartments, as well as 46 homes on the adjoining school site.

‘The plans were submitted by Northumberland Estates, the Duke of Northumberland’s property arm. The middle school, which is Grade II-listed and dates back to 1904, closed in 2016 and has since fallen into disrepair.

A previous planning application on the site was granted in 2021, but that permission has since lapsed. At Thursday's meeting of the the council’s North Planning Committee, there was some objection from local residents.

Speaking at the meeting, objector Alan Waton said the plans represented “inappropriate development in the wrong place and for no good reason”

Peter Biggers of Alnwick’s Argyle Planning Consultancy also spoke to object on behalf of Alnwick Town Council. He said: “This development does not comply with the aspirations and policies of the Alnwick and Denwick Neighbourhood Plan. It should be refused. It is contrary to the policy, and no material considerations exist to justify an exception.”