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The redevelopment of a Darlington town centre street will continue after new housing plans were approved. A dilapidated former shop on Coniscliffe Road will be partly demolished and
converted into apartments and townhouses. The proposal details plans to build four flats and two new homes at 17 Coniscliffe Road as part of the town centre plans. The property has been
empty for several years, with an extensive amount of scaffolding propping up the structure at the front and rear. The existing shop front on Coniscliffe Road will be replaced with a new
residential frontage consisting of a new entrance, windows, and railings. The building's ailing roof structure will also be replaced. Up to seven parking spaces will be created
alongside the new homes in the rear yard, facing onto Northumberland Street. Amended plans were submitted in April 2025 to reposition the new build development on Northumberland Street so
that the building abuts 15 Northumberland Street. Council planning officers welcomed the application, saying the development would bring the derelict building back into use and "will
benefit the character and appearance of the street and the Conservation Area." A planning report added: "The demolition works to remove unsightly buildings within the rear yard and
the dormer extensions to the rear would not harm the setting of the neighbouring listed building." Coniscliffe Road recently underwent a major redevelopment after the council created
new outdoor seating areas for bars and restaurants and extended pavement areas to create a 'cafe culture'. However, one resident warned the extra housing would exacerbate existing
parking issues in the area. Maura Bell, objecting, said: "There is already a significant amount of residential development in the vicinity, and I strongly believe that no further flats
are needed at this time. "The current infrastructure simply cannot support more housing without exacerbating existing problems. Adding more flats will only increase the demand for
parking, making an already challenging situation worse." Despite the concerns, Darlington Borough Council approved the application. Work is expected to start on the site in due course.
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