Permanent pavement seating is due to be introduced as part of a major town centre redevelopment. 

Plans to establish a “cafe culture” in Darlington look likely to be approved by the council next week. 

The latest proposal for Coniscliffe Road details how temporary measures will become permanent due to the positive reaction from businesses and customers. 

“A grassroots cafe culture has arisen, and the council is looking to build on this to boost town centre vitality through improvements to the road network and public realm along Coniscliffe Road,” the local authority said. 

Outdoor seating areas have remained in place since hospitality businesses were allowed to operate outdoors during the Covid pandemic. 

Now, updated plans reveal the council’s ambitions for the popular town centre street. 

The plans involve: 

  • A pocket park on the northern side of the street with trees, seating, and fencing. 

  • The widening of the existing pavements on the northern and southern sides of the street to facilitate outdoor cafe areas.

  • The installation of street trees and planters. 

  • The installation of cycle parking stands 

Outdoor eating and drinking areas on Darlington's Coniscliffe Road. Outdoor eating and drinking areas on Darlington's Coniscliffe Road. (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The development proposals were the subject of an extensive consultation process before the planning application was submitted and were amended in June in response to comments from the public. 

The section of Coniscliffe Road - between Grange Road and West Street/ Larchfield Street - comprises a mix of offices, bars, restaurants, the Darlington County Court building, commercial units, and residential development.

“Outdoor dining has become a characteristic of this part of Coniscliffe Road,” Darlington Borough Council said. “The proposed widening of the pavements has been proposed to enable the continuation of this activity to increase footfall to this section of Coniscliffe Road.”

The council added: “The planning application to alter this section of Coniscliffe Road is driven by a need to support the local economy, addressing business needs whilst creating a more comprehensive pedestrian and cyclist environment.”

However, the council has faced criticism for the redevelopment of Consicliffe Road. Residents argued that closing the road would damage businesses. 

Richard Warne, who owned Inspired Chocolate on Grange Road, warned of the disruption the redevelopment will cause between October 2024 and spring 2025. 

“As a business owner in Grange Road, we believe this will heavily impact Christmas and Easter trade.

“I am sorry to say we have now given notice on our lease [and] will close our Darlington Grange Road shop.”

Mr Warne has now left the premises and said redeveloping other areas of the town centre should be prioritised. “As both a business owner and resident, in my opinion this council is still not recognising nor doing what is required to rejuvenate Darlington Town Centre,” he said. 

“These important funds and the opportunity for real town centre rejuvenation are being wasted.”

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service, which owns the Darlington County Court, also objected. 

Darlington Borough Council said the work will provide some disruption to business operations and has purposely been planned to take place over the winter months to minimise disruption to anticipated trade on Coniscliffe Road. 

It added: “The intention is to keep Coniscliffe Road open for much of the proposed works with closures necessary in the new year to complete road surfacing and speed table installations.”

Planning officers added that the redevelopment is "driven by a need to support the local economy, addressing business needs whilst creating a more comprehensive pedestrian and cyclist environment”. 

The previous overall cost of the scheme was estimated at £940,000, though that figure is expected to have changed. 

Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee will consider the application on Wednesday, August 7.