A proposal to expand a historic Darlington conservation area will be put to the public. 

Darlington Borough Council will launch a six-week survey on plans to write a new draft appraisal for the Northgate Conservation Area. 

Northgate is identified as a designated heritage asset of international significance due to its structures and associations directly linked to the birth/early years of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825. 

However, despite its national importance, it has been on the national At Risk Register since 2010. 

A conservation area is ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'.

The local authority is significantly investing in the area ahead of the 2025 bicentennial celebrations including the redevelopment of the railway heritage quarter Hopetown. 

Hopetown heritage railway attraction in Darlington Hopetown heritage railway attraction in Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

An appraisal for the Northgate Conservation Area was first adopted in January 2007 but council officials say the current appraisal is inadequate and out of date. 

A description of the area’s ‘very bad’ condition and its causes, which have resulted in social and economic decline, traffic and public realm issues, damage to the historical environment and harmful modern development are also included. 

“The draft appraisal will draw attention to locally important heritage assets to further public understanding and inform decision making,” a report read. 

“The draft appraisal also includes suggestions to improve the condition of the conservation area so that it may eventually be removed from the Heritage at Risk register.”

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Darlington Borough Council cabinet members agreed to consult the public on the new conservation area appraisal at a meeting this week. 

Councillor Chris McEwan said: “We have the bicentennial coming up this year and there will be many events in Darlington, so it seems appropriate to review the conservation area in the context of it last being completed in 2007.”

The survey will open on September 16 and last until October 28.