THE long-awaited development of Northallerton’s former prison has been given the green light for an ambitious project including restaurants, cinema and apartments.

Hambleton District Council has joined forces with Hull-based property developers, the Wykeland Group, to create a leisure and residential development on the 3.5 acre site.

Shops, managed workspace, apartments, restaurants, a five screen cinema and a quadrangle for public events are all on the agenda for the town centre space – subject to planning permission and discussions with potential operators.

Wykeland has been chosen by the council following a tendering exercise which has seen bidders discuss their suggested plans with the council.

The two partners will now form a Joint Venture Company – and the three year partnership will see the site transformed.

“Buying the prison site presented the council with a once in a lifetime opportunity to support and strengthen the retail and leisure arms of Northallerton,” said Councillor Mark Robson, leader of the authority.

“But this development will also benefit the whole of Hambleton.”

The former female wings – two of five listed buildings – will include space for community use, a possible heritage centre, workspace for start-up businesses and a digital hub, which would involve further partnership work with local universities.

The southern end of the site has been earmarked for retail and a 125 space car park.

“These plans will maximize job opportunities as well as complementing the existing high street,” added Cllr Robson. “And it will boost the night time economy with its diverse range of uses.”

Work is expected to begin in 2018 in two or three phases, with a planning application and public consultation expected within months.

Demolition on the site will be completed in the summer and an archaeological dig will take place before any new building work begins.