Dukes Middle School, Hope House Lane, Alnwick (brownfield parcel)

Large area of land which was previously occupied by a school. This closed in 2016 and the site is now surplus to requirements. An application for redevelopment for a mix of conversion, part demolition and redevelopment of the site was permitted in February 2021 (19/00500/FUL). The concept was for a retirement village, providing a range of different housing types and facilities. The retained Grade II listed former school buildings to the north of the site will be converted into 27 apartments. A large area of open space will buffer this from the new-build units constructed on the southern part of the former playing fields, comprising a block of 49 elderly living flats and 22 dwellings. Brownfield element (0.80ha) only relates to the northern part of the site (conversion). For indicative purposes in the BF Register, the original SHLAA site (ref 0282) is split to reflect brownfield and greenfield elements - total area of 4.79ha. However, following the grant of planning approval, no progress was made on-site, and the permission lapsed due to non-implementation in early 2025. In October 2024, a new application for a revised scheme was submitted for consideration (24/03628/FUL). This proposes demolition and redevelopment of the modern extensions and outbuildings to the main school building and conversion to 13 residential apartments, along with 46 new-build residential dwellings. Again, a large area of open space is proposed for retention in the centre of the site. If this revised scheme is permitted, then the yield will be changed accordingly. As the site does not benefit from an extant planning permission, it is not considered deliverable and is forecast for delivery in the 6-10 year period. If permitted, deliverability will be reassessed. The site is also allocated in the Alnwick and Denwick Neighbourhood Plan for a mix of uses.