Hundreds turn out to have their say on the future of Alnwick

The event was organised by the Alnwick Forum, a partnership between Northumberland County Council and Alnwick Town Council, and is a follow-up to November’s open day, where residents gave their views on a range of issues and sites around the town.

Following feedback about car parking issues, the former Duchess’s Community High School on Howling Lane has been turned into a temporary long-stay car park for 60 car parking spaces.

The former Lindisfarne Middle School site now incorporates the Alnwick Food Bank and Citizens Advice and progress is being made to turn it into a community hub.

The playing fields are being kept for community use and a working group of sports clubs has been set up to look at the future of the Lindisfarne sports hall.

Plans were on display with design options for Narrowgate, including the possibility of pedestrianisation, an option residents were strongly in favour of.

An update was also given showing the interior layout of the Playhouse, which is to incorporate the library and visitor information service.

Coun Gordon Castle said: “ What has been particularly pleasing has been the engagement by the younger residents of the town who have been very enthusiastic in telling us what they would like to see and their ideas for the future.”

Coun Robbie Moore added: “The Forum is making real progress and much of this has been down to the fact that local residents have been keen to get involved and give us their feedback.”

Mayor Alan Symmonds said: “On behalf of the Forum, I’d like thank all the residents who took the time to come along to our event in the Northumberland Hall and showed a real interest in the future of their town.”