Plans to reopen Darlington's Northgate House with new investment

Plans for a mixed use residential and commercial site have been devised for buildings in Gladstone Street and Kendrew Street, in the Northgate area of town, and will be funded by money received through the government’s Town Fund programme. 

The redevelopment of residential properties within and adjacent to the town centre is a clear council priority to revitalise the dilapidated area. Initial plans state the council will obtain the buildings through negotiated acquisitions with current landowners and the commencement of a Compulsory Purchase Order. 

Negotiations with the owners of the derelict Northgate House building overlooking the roundabout have been unsuccessful however, casting any future redevelopment programme for the town’s tallest building in doubt. While the building has been empty for over 10 years it has become the focus of antisocial behaviour and safety concerns, including police appealing to youths to stop free running on the 131ft building’s roof.

Officers may be forced to engage a Compulsory Purchase Order for the building if no deal can be reached. 

The area outlined for redevelopment near Darlington town centre (Image: The Northern Echo)

The council report, due to be discussed on Tuesday, December 6, reads: “Acquiring the site and potentially working in partnership with private sector developers will transform this abandoned area of town. The creation of residential and mixed-use development with the inclusion of green spaces and easy transport options.

“It is recommended that negotiations continue with the threat of compulsory purchase powers in the background but that members authorise officers to start background work to pull together a draft Compulsory Purchase Order and schedule of interests to be acquired which will be presented to Cabinet for approval.”

Darlington Borough Council revealed some of its ideas for how a masterplan for the Northgate area of the town could be regenerated (Image: The Northern Echo)

Early design work has outlined how the Northgate redevelopment could look thanks, which considers possible development options for the area,including residential and mixed-use development with the inclusion of green spaces and active travel options. 

The council hopes to replicate the recent successes of converting the former Sports Direct site, off East Street, for future development as well as acquiring The Northern Echo building to transform the landmark into an Adult Training Hub on the ground floor and high-quality office space on the upper floors.

Read next: 

• Why plans for luxury holiday lodges at Beamish were rejected amid fierce opposition
• Impressive OneLove art appears in Darlington ahead of England Wales World Cup clash
• Rusting Tyne Bridge in worse state than feared and could take FOUR years to restore

If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here