A number of planning applications have been approved this month across Darlington and County Durham which may affect people across the region.

We’ve pulled together a list of planning applications submitted to Darlington Borough Council and Durham County Council’s planning portal this month.

The applications range from the erection of new houses to the change of use of high-street buildings.

Take a look below to see all the planning applications submitted this month that you should know about:

  • Change of use from retail to amusement arcade

Submitted on Monday, October 17 and decided on Wednesday, December 7, this application will see the building converted into an arcade.

The building, which can be found on 42 to 44 Northgate in Darlington, was previously used as an electronic game and software shop.

The existing shopfront will be retained and redecorated with new signage as part of the development.

However, these works are set to be addressed under a separate application for advertisement consent.

  • Change of use from mixed use café and wine bar to offices

This application was submitted on Friday, October 7 and was approved on Tuesday, December 6.

A change of use at the property would see the building turned into offices to house a multidisciplinary practice.

These would include Heritage and Archaeology, Architectural Design and Construction and Ecology.

The building, found on 16 Grange Road in Darlington, was once a wine bar but is now vacant.

Although the application was approved it was approved with conditions such as “changes to the outside of the building are to be made sympathetically to the character of the area”

“All aspects of the outside of the building, including the grey paint colour and existing trough lighting are to remain the same.”

A new sign will be fitted in the position of the “liquor” stickers.

The sign has been designed to fit with the surrounding area more closely than the existing sign “with powder coated Metal letters which will help to improve the overall look of the road.”

  • Change of use from dwellinghouse to house in multiple occupation

Submitted on  Tuesday, October 25 and approved on Tuesday, December 20, this application concerns the property found at 61 Bradford Crescent, Gilesgate, Durham.

The application would see the change of use of a property from a three bedroom house to a four bedroom HMO.

Consisting of a kitchen, dining and living room, the property would have a bedroom on the ground floor with a  further three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.

Works will see the existing single storey extension to the back of the property containing the utility room demolished and a new single storey extension provided to accommodate the kitchen, living room and dining room.

  • Change of use from travel agent to a mixed use nail and beauty salon

This application was submitted on Friday August 26 and approved on Wednesday, December 21.

Although there is limited detail with this application plans show the building would consist of a storage area, staff room and a main room.

The main room would include a waiting area, reception, manicure tables, pedicure area and nail dryer table.

The building in question can be found at 31 Middle Street in Consett, County Durham.

  • Change of use from house to house in multiple occupation

The property in question, found at 18 Moor Crescent in Gilesgate Moor, Durham would also have a conversion of its garage into a habitable room according to plans which were submitted on Monday, July 18 and approved on Friday, December 23.

This application has been full of contention with it receiving over 90 public comments with mostly all of them being objections.

The Northern Echo covered the dispute over student housing in the area in the below article:

Read more: Fury over yet more student accommodation plans for Gilesgate in Durham

We also covered the application for this property which has now been approved

Read more: Durham resident hits out at plans to turn home into student lets

  • Change of use from house to mixed use house/café

Found at 1 Oxford Terrace in Bowburn, Durham, this application would see part of a house converted into a café.

The application was submitted on Friday, October 14 and approved on Thursday, December 15.

The Northern Echo spoke to the applicant and covered all the details of the new café in the below article:

Read more: New café and bakery to open inside County Durham home

  • Change of use to 19 bed apart-hotel

This application, which was submitted on Friday, September 9 and approved on Thursday, December 15 will see a former NHS building converted into a 19-bedroom hotel.

The building, found on Princes Street in Bishop Auckland, has been vacant for some time and is “severely dilapidated.”

The Northern Echo also covered this planning application when it was submitted.

Read more: Big hotel plans for NHS building in Bishop Auckland revealed for first time

  • Change of use to educational and recreational facility for indoor Air Rifle and Air Pistol Range

Submitted on Thursday, August 25, this application would see the conversion of a unit on Spennymoor industrial estate into an Air Rifle and Air Postol Range.

The development, found at Unit 20 Enterprise City, Green Lane, Industrial Estate Spennymoor is part of Black Dog Air Rifle Range.

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The application argues: “A fully accessible sport bringing local people together thereby allowing men and women of all ages, including the less able-bodied to compete in a sport on equal terms.”

The application was approved on Wednesday, December 14.

  • Erection of 27 houses with associated infrastructure

Concerning the site of former J Mitchinson on Merrington Lane, Industrial Estate, Spennymoor, this application was submitted on Tuesday, November 30 2021 and approved subject to S106 on Tuesday, December 6.

The Northern Echo covered the details of this planning application in the story below:

Read more: Plans for 27 homes passed for Spennymoor as part of wider proposals