Company behind major Morpeth development aiming to demolish derelict Benfield buildings before Christmas

And the aim is for the demolition to be completed before Christmas, with all the new perimeter fencing to be erected at this time.

Roseville (Hillgate) Ltd received the official notice from Northumberland County Council approving the development of the former Benfield Motors site into a care home and a number of care apartments at the end of March 2025.

The project also required the developer to acquire a number of the neighbouring properties.

But before major works can begin, a number of details as part of the conditions need to be given the green light by the local authority.

The company announced this week that Thompsons of Prudhoe has been awarded the contract for the demolition of the all the existing derelict buildings on the site.

David Nicholson of Roseville (Hillgate) Ltd said it has received approval from the county council to start the demolition works, subject to Thompsons of Prudhoe providing an approved demolition statement, after now discharging all the other conditions necessary before this work could commence.

He added: “Presuming that the statement will be approved by the council in the near future, this part of the project will then proceed – with a view to completing all the works before the end of the year.

“We have kept all the existing neighbouring properties informed of the situation, especially the owners of The Waterford Lodge who have been very helpful in their co-operation with us and who acknowledge that these long-anticipated works will be of benefit to their business, as well as improving the outlook of their beer garden to the rear of their premises.”

These works will add to the current demolition of the former Riverside Leisure Centre in Morpeth in order to create more parking spaces.

That building is owned by the county council and became redundant when a new leisure centre and community services hub was built in another part of town.