Developer Hunt Launched for the Former Hexham Middle School Site

One of the largest pieces of land in central Hexham is finally on the move. Northumberland County Council has begun the formal search for a developer to redevelop the former Hexham Middle School site on Wanless Lane, a 6.1-hectare plot that has sat empty since the school moved out to Queen Elizabeth High School in 2020. Cabinet approved the launch of a procurement process on Tuesday 7 July, opening the way for a scheme that will reshape this corner of town for a generation.

What is planned

The site already carries outline planning consent, granted in spring 2025, for up to 200 homes. The council's brief is not simply for volume housing: it wants a genuine mix of family houses, bungalows and affordable properties, alongside a purpose-built extra-care scheme for older residents who want to stay in Hexham but need a bit more support. To help make that mix stack up financially, the authority has said it will offer contributions of up to £20,000 per unit from its Adults, Ageing and Wellbeing Fund to bridge viability gaps.

The heritage hook

The condition that makes this site unusual sits at its heart. The Grade II-listed Fellside Building, the former grammar school, must be kept and brought back into use as a public arts studio and gallery. That is written in as a non-negotiable requirement of any development contract, not a nice-to-have. The surrounding, more modern school blocks are expected to be cleared, but the historic building stays, giving the town a cultural venue as part of a housing-led scheme rather than instead of one.

Whoever wins the contract will be expected to facilitate that conversion, though the council has been clear that running the arts space itself is a job for the community.

Best for: Council leader Glen Sanderson has described the redevelopment as "a flagship site in Hexham", and said of the Fellside Building that "it's very much down to local people to take this forward."

What it means for residents

For local people, this is a story worth watching closely over the coming months. A scheme of this size will bring construction traffic, new neighbours and, eventually, a fresh cultural draw within walking distance of the town centre. The detail that matters, from the exact affordable-housing split to how the gallery will be run and funded, will be shaped as bids come in and a preferred developer is chosen. The council has said interest is already strong.

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Read the original coverage in the Hexham Courant and its earlier report on the arts plans. Spotted a local story we should cover? Get in touch.