Greenlight for £17m transformation of Northallerton Prison into retail-leisure destination

Plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of the former prison in Northallerton have received the go ahead.

Hambleton District Council’s planning committee today (November 15) gave the greenlight for the site to be transformed into the Treadmills – a £17m retail, residential, leisure and office space development.

The scheme will incorporate five Grade II-listed prison buildings and a large public square.

Hull-based developer Wykeland Group has entered into a joint venture with Hambleton District Council, operating as the Central Northallerton Development Company (CNDC), to deliver the project.

Supermarket chain Lidl is already signed as the retail anchor, while Hull’s C4DI will operate digital tech office space at the Treadmills. Further details of the development, including the proposed four-screen cinema venue, were revealed in September.

CNDC said negotiations are underway to secure operators for the remaining retail and leisure units.

District Councillor Peter Wilkinson, chairman of the CNDC board, said: “This is a very exciting project not just for Northallerton but for the area as a whole.

“It will generate more activity in the town centre with people coming to visit the shops and enjoy the leisure experience we will offer through the restaurants and cinema.”

Members of the planning committee were told that the development is aiming to preserve and enhance a major part of Northallerton’s history and heritage, while also regenerating a large brownfield site and delivering a big boost for the local economy.

Wykeland Group MD Dominic Gibbons, a CNDC board member, commented: “We’re delighted this transformational redevelopment has gained planning approval and will soon move into the construction phase.

“This scheme will respect and conserve the heritage of the site while delivering many economic, social and community benefits for Northallerton, the wider area and local residents.”

With planning approval in place, work will get underway in Spring 2019.

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