Councillors in Northumberland approve sale of former schools with land earmarked for housing
Cabinet members in Northumberland have signed off on a deal to sell two former schools with the land set to be developed into housing.
Up to 135 new homes are set to be built on the former Astley High and Whytryg Middle School site in the Seaton Valley along with two retail units and associated car parking
Members have agreed to accept offers from commercial developer Derwent Manor Ventures and house builder Miller Homes.
Of the proposed new homes, 20 will be designated as affordable and will be obtained by the council and used as social housing.
The retail unit will be built on the Astley site. The amount agreed by the council was not made public due to commercial sensitivities.
The schools have been vacant since the new, council-built super school opened last year.
Deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth said: “We have no need of this site now we have got the super school in the Seaton Valley. It is doing very well and it is an incredibly impressive building.
“The sale of this land will help us to fund some of the work we have done there. Throughout the process of the sale, we asked officers to reflect on the amount of money they could achieve, but also to consider the social aspects of any proposals.
“The proposals will allow 135 new homes which are much welcome, we do need new homes in the right places. There will be 20 affordable homes that will become the property of the council once constructed.
“We also have some commercial space for retail businesses, something the Seaton Valley has some of but could do with more. This is a great opportunity for new businesses to open up.”
There had been some debate locally about what the site should be used for, with some concern over plans for further housing.
But Cllr Eve Chicken, who represents the Seaton Valley ward, said: “This has been a topic of conversation within the Seaton Valley. Nobody really knows what is going to happen when a site becomes available.
“The feeling from residents was mixed. Some said we did need housing, some said we didn’t. Others wanted industry and jobs.
“The proposals that have been put forward are a happy medium that I am happy to stand behind. We need jobs, we need industry, we need facilities.
“All sites we no longer use have to be sold. We need to bring money back in to continue producing the fantastic schools we do. I’m very pleased to see this progressing.”
Any proposals will still require planning permission, which has not yet been secured.