PLANS to demolish a redundant vicarage and erect ten two-bedroom bungalows in its place have been submitted to Darlington Borough Council this week.

The Church of St James the Great was constructed in 1876 and it is thought that its vicarage, which can be found on Vicarage Road in Darlington, was constructed around the same time.

READ MORE: New update sees “significant improvements” for some viewers after TV mast fire

However, plans submitted to Darlington Borough Council could see the vicarage demolished and ten two-bedroom bungalows aimed at over 55s erected in its place.

According to the Planning Statement, this development could “improve provision of over 55s housing in Darlington.”

It continues to say that the development would provide housing in a highly accessible and sustainable location, and make efficient use of the site “which has not been occupied for a number of years.”

Each bungalow could have an open-plan kitchen and living room, two bedrooms, bathrooms and built-in storage along with parking spaces and private gardens and patio areas.

READ MORE: A look inside the cheapest home for sale in North Yorkshire - and it's under £50k

St James’s Church itself is a grade II listed building and is located at the corner of Allan Street and Barton Street, approximately 200m to the north of the Vicarage.

According to the Heritage Statement, in 2012 the Parish priest at the time, Father Ian Grieves, defected from the Church of England and joined the Ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church.

The statement concludes that although the vicarage was built at the same time as St James’ Church, “it is of a much lower architectural interest than the Church.

"Although the proposals would result in the loss of a non-designated heritage, it is considered that the proposed development is more in keeping with the surrounding developments, and interacts better with Haughton Road, a historic and main route in the town centre.

"The development would also provide some much needed single-storey accommodation, which meets the needs of the ageing population."

READ MORE: Here’s whether the Met Office is ruling out a heatwave for later this month

The Planning Statement concludes: "There would be no adverse impacts from the development proposals that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits that the delivery of high quality housing brings."

-------

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054