A £17 million redevelopment is planned for a former prison in Northallerton, starting in spring 2019. The plans to turn the former prison into a new retail, residential, leisure and office space were approved by Hambleton District Council’s Planning Committee on the 15th of November.

The Treadmills project will also incorporate five Grade II listed buildings, which were retained when the remainder of the prison site was demolished, as well as the construction of a large public square.

The project is being delivered by the Central Northallerton Development Company (CNDC), a joint venture between Hambleton District Council and developers Wykeland Group.

“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,” said Chairman of the CNDC Board, District Councillor Peter Wilkinson.

So far, Lidl has been confirmed as the retail anchor for the project, while Hull-based C4DI – the Centre for Digital Innovation – has been confirmed as the operator of the digital tech office space. Negotiations are underway to finalise operators of the remaining retail and leisure units.

“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,” concluded Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Wykeland Group, and CNDC Board Member.