Council provides update on Darlington town centre housing scheme

The new housing development on Skinnergate in Darlington is due to bring six three-bed houses, flats, and ground-floor retail units to the popular street.

Plans for the scheme were approved in August 2021 and involve knocking down the premises from 13-18 Skinnergate and 2 Raby Terrace, while also renovating 12 Skinnergate - a building previously damaged by fire. 

However, progress has been marred by several delays due to heritage concerns. The frontage at 12 Skinnergate is currently covered in scaffolding as work continues inside the building. 

The council says the development is part of its town centre regeneration plans (Image: The Northern Echo)

In an update on the scheme, Darlington Borough Council said the first phase of demolition work is complete and work to demolish 2 Raby Terrace should start in Spring 2025. Removing the derelict site will then provide better access to the proposed housing scheme. 

A council report read: “Discussions are ongoing on the phase two stabilisation works and an option to demolish other buildings which will help improve access. 

“A delay was encountered following the production of a revised design to satisfy concerns raised by English Heritage at the planning application stage. It has also been impacted by nutrient neutrality further delaying the start on site date, and protracted negotiations and agreements with an adjacent building owner.”

Last month, the council said it is committed to the scheme despite the delays in demolishing the Raby Terrace premises, when a cannabis farm was found inside by police. Historic England said losing the building would be a loss to the significance of the conservation area. 

The Council for British Archaeology also objected to the demolition of the building, as it said there was "insufficient justification".

But Darlington Council argued it had been unoccupied for several years and contains few original historical features. 

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“The retention of the building would have a negative impact upon the proposed scheme, in terms of bringing forward a local authority affordable housing scheme in a highly sustainable location,” the council said. 

The development has been championed by the council as a key part of its regeneration plans for the town centre by increasing footfall and access to housing. 

One of the town’s busiest streets, Skinnergate is currently populated by cafes, restaurants and shops.