Plans for an additional residential building behind a County Durham street have been withdrawn.

The proposal, submitted by Mr. S. Wade and his agent from Colling Morris Architectural Services, for the conversion of outbuildings at 27 The Bank, Barnard Castle into a separate dwelling.

Despite receiving support from Barnard Castle Town Council in December, the application was withdrawn on Thursday.

The site, a Grade II listed building situated in Barnard Castle's Conservation Area, was once a house in the late 18th century.

It was later transformed into a shop with a restaurant and living quarters and served as a Chinese restaurant before becoming unoccupied.

Mr. Wade's plan outlined converting the manager’s apartment above the restaurant into a three-bedroom unit, addressing structural risks posed by the brick interior walls which were directly built onto the timber floor.

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The proposal also included repairs to the original staircase, which was unstable due to infestation and water damage, following consultations with The Georgian Group.

Planned work included replacing windows with painted timber ones, minimal external alterations, and interior refurbishments preserving historical elements like skirting boards and Georgian-style fireplaces.

Barnard Castle, a historic market town, is noted for its Georgian and Victorian architecture, much of which has been preserved.

The property at 27 The Bank is valued for its architectural history and its location in the Artisan Quarter, a distinctive part of the conservation area.

A structural engineer had reported that the second-floor joists were overstressed by the brick walls, leading to movement in the floor structure.

These walls were proposed for removal to prevent further deterioration.

Additionally, water damage due to roof failure was also addressed in the proposal.

Barnard Castle Town Council had supported the application in a meeting on December 19, 2022.

Details on why the application was withdrawn have not been disclosed.