Head versus art in Northumberland
The local council in Hexham and internationally acclaimed artist Antony Gormley, designer of the Angel of the North itself, have had their vision to transform a disused fire station into an art gallery put at risk by Northumberland Council’s own plans to have the building demolished and used as a car park for a neighbouring compound.
In what is seemingly a breakdown in communication between the local and the county council, Northumberland has formally submitted an application to have the former fire station torn down, so that a council-owned adjacent site can use it as space for a fleet of vehicles and for ‘staff wellbeing facilities’.
This is in stark contrast to the local council’s ambitions, which has been in talks with Gormley for the last two years about using the building as a gallery and educational space that would preserve his artwork and create a new tourist attraction for the town.
The Angel of the North artist has submitted a business case for the project.
Gormley has had a studio and foundry in Hexham for 20 years, and has also said he would like to create a piece of art gifted to the town, which will stand in the river on the west side of the Hexham Bridge.
As for the former fire station, the plan was for his charity, The Foundation Foundation, to utilise the building as a gallery to allow greater public access to his work.
Gormley said in a statement: “The Foundation Foundation would make its core collection available to the greater public and as well as access to its archive and make it clear to the public the increasingly important role that Hexham plays in the evolution and exhibition of my work internationally.”
Cllr Derek Kennedy, Hexham West representative for the county council and the town’s Mayor, said: “The fire station was made redundant around 10 years ago and has sat boarded up since then…
“[Gormley] likes industrial work and it fitted that. It’s empty; he would purchase it from the county council and he would develop it. It’s next to the railway station and all the infrastructure is there.
“The council has put in a planning application to themselves to demolish the fire station and make it into a larger scale compound. We were absolutely shocked and staggered about it, it has caused some frustration and disappointment.
“We are left with two visions for Hexham – one is a unit with the work of an international sculptor, an education centre for new artists and maybe an exhibition space which can attract people to Hexham.
“The alternative is for it to become a council compound.
“I think we have got one chance of this. This is a unique, one-off chance to get this done – it is the perfect site for it. It’s now up to the county council and we’re looking for leadership. We aren’t taking no for an answer.”
Northumberland council has suggested that other sites may be more suitable.
“We have been supporting the Foundation Foundation to look at various options, including the old fire station as well as other potential sites, and to understand the Foundation’s aspirations and ambitions while ensuring the operational needs of the Council can be balanced.
“At this early stage no decisions have been made.
“We will be meeting local councillors in the coming weeks to explain in detail the proposals for the creation of a new vehicle maintenance workshop and staff welfare facilities at the former fire station site to support the effective and efficient delivery of front-line services in the west of the county.”
