A SCHEME to restore a part of Darlington to its former glory is to be extended.

Darlington Borough Council has been awarded an English Heritage grant of more than £500,000 to revitalise the Northgate area of the town.

The cash boost has come from the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme.

It means that just over £90,000 will be available to property and business owners in the first year of the three-year project. Traders are being invited to apply for grants to improve their premises by carrying out repairs and transforming empty spaces above shops into new homes and businesses.

Owners will be able to qualify for up to 60 per cent of the cost of approved building works.

Now the council is expected to approve plans to extend the scheme to include buildings excluded from the conservation area.

It has been proposed that the scheme should incorporate properties from 182 to 214 Northgate, a mix of commercial and residential buildings, including late-19th Century terraces.

In High Northgate, properties 18 to 84 are also likely to be included in the scheme.

Council officials say it would only be sensible to include buildings which have an architectural and historic contribution to make.

In a report to Darlington council's cabinet, environment director, John Buxton, said: "It is prudent to incorporate the BP petrol station within the conservation area, as developments on this highly visible site could have a significant impact on the visual character of Northgate and High Northgate."

Councillor David Lyonette, the council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, has welcomed the move.

He said: "This area has tremendous potential and we are working with property owners in High Northgate and Northgate to help us realise that potential. And by extending the scheme, we are inviting more people to work with us."

Councillors will meet next Tuesday to discuss the proposal.