Green light for village’s schools plan

WORK can now start on a £46m school and leisure centre development in Ponteland after the Government gave plans the green light.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, has announced that he will not be “calling in” the proposals.

It comes after Northumber- land County Council’s planning committee “minded to approve” the plans in January.

The development includes a 420-place primary school and a 1,600-place high school, while the existing leisure centre on Callerton Lane will be demolished.

A six-lane, 25m swimming pool, gym, climbing wall, library and community police facility are also planned.

The council said a delay in getting the go-ahead could mean building work doesn’t finish in time for the planned 2019 opening, leaving the schools housed in “temporary accommodation”.

Coun Wayne Daley, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is brilliant news and means work can now start in earnest on building these fantastic new facilities.”

Concerns had initially been raised by residents over the congestion that could be caused, but the council said these issues had been addressed. Artist impression of the new facilities