The latest plans to restore a historic Darlington building have been approved. 

Work is underway to bring Number 156 Northgate back to life after it was purchased by Darlington Borough Council. 

The four-storey building was constructed in the early 19th century by the Robson family and was also the home of master weaver John Kipling. Over the years it has been redeveloped and amended by different owners – it was recently used as a restaurant and bar – but retains many of its period features.

Grade II-listed, the building occupies a high-profile position on Northgate and was bought to convert it into useable office space for small businesses.

Work is underway to bring Number 156 Northgate back to life after it was purchased by Darlington Borough Council. Work is underway to bring Number 156 Northgate back to life after it was purchased by Darlington Borough Council. 

Updated proposals involving internal and external alterations and repairs to the building have been approved by the local authority. A conservatory, used by the former restaurant, will be demolished and replaced with a paved outdoor area. 

A planning statement read: “The loss of partitions and later subdivision of the rooms has had a harmful impact on the original layout, as well as the experience of historical rooms.  Further harm has been caused by the loss of historic features and the insertion of pastiche elements. 

“Based on the information that has been submitted in support of the application, officers are convinced that the significance of the site and the heritage asset is well understood, and the proposal has been designed to reflect the asset’s significance whilst allowing the continued use of the building. 

“Ultimately, even with the less than substantial harm caused by the proposed revisions, there is an overall enhancement to the building, and the conservation area, but this is reduced from the original consented scheme by the revisions.”

Changes to the redevelopment plans have been made to make the building more accessible for people with disabilities. All other elements of the proposal remain unchanged from the previously approved scheme.

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The renovation project is funded using money from the Towns Fund – a £23.3m project funded by the government that aims to restore and rejuvenate key parts of Darlington. The wider Northgate project led by the Towns Fund aims to bring the area’s heritage assets back to life. 

Meanwhile, the council has opened a public consultation on plans to expand the Northgate Conservation Area. The Darlington neighbourhood 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.