Plans in for ‘transformational’ project to turn Northallerton Prison into retail-leisure destination

Plans are in for the transformation of the former Northallerton Prison site into a destination for retail, leisure and business.

The Central Northallerton Development Company (CNDC), a joint venture between developer Wykeland Group and Hambleton District Council, is seeking planning and listed building consent for a heritage-led project that could create up to 200 jobs.

The £17m development, known as Treadmills, will look to turn the 3.5-acre site into mix of retail outlets, cafés, restaurants, a cinema, apartments, offices and car parking.

A newly created civic square and performance space will sit at the heart of the scheme.

If given the go-ahead, CNDC will convert the site’s five listed former prison buildings into homes and space for restaurant operators and other businesses.

Prison buildings to be incorporated include a staff tenement block, governor’s house and wings for female prisoners.

Lidl will occupy one of three new retail units

The cinema will be a four-screen venue located above three restaurants. CNDC will also create three new retail units, one of which will be occupied by Lidl.

Tech incubator the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) will operate the offices and co-working spaces.

In the application, a summary of Treadmills reads: “The development proposals will deliver major, transformational change to this area of Northallerton.

“This heritage-led scheme will redevelop a vacant local landmark and deliver a mix of uses, to the benefit of the local community and economy.”

Since its inception, the development has been reshaped in response to feedback gathered over consultations with members of the public, Hambleton District Council, Northallerton Town Council, North Yorkshire County Council’s Highways department and Historic England.

Two public consultations in June saw 65% of respondents support the scheme and 15% oppose. The events were attended by around 450 people.