Northumberland County Council secures £1.2m investment on Alnwick school site

Northumberland County Council is set to agree a £1.2m investment on the former Lindisfarne school site in Alnwick.

This aims to create a modern Adult Learning Centre and Community Campus.

Before May 2017, the Middle School and Sports Hall had been approved for demolition and were due to be sold for housing.

However, there was opposition from the local community. When the new administration was formed, officers were asked to shelve the demolition plans and retain the site.

Consultation over the future of the site has continued over the past two years with the local community through the Alnwick Forum partnership between the county and town council.

If approved by the council’s Cabinet, work could get underway this November and be complete by July 2020.

Cabinet Member for children’s services, Wayne Daley, said: “Providing the best education for everyone is an absolute priority and this is a major investment in our skils service provision.

“The work will see the service have a new home in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities and also give much improved space for the various community groups who use the site.”

It is intended that the remaining old school buildings will be demolished to reduce ongoing running costs.

Initially the space created can be used for on-site parking with the potential to expand the community campus with an appropriate new build development in the future.

Alnwick Mayor, Linda Wearn, added: “I am pleased the future of the site is now much clearer and that the annexe is to be refurbished to create an education and community campus. This will be very beneficial and be a much needed town facility.”