North Road and Northgate
North Road and Northgate are home to a number of historically significant buildings which are an important part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Heritage Action Zone.
A number of projects are planned to preserve and redevelop the area, helping to improve the route between the town centre and Hopetown[external link], a new visitor attraction focusing on the town’s railway history, which opened in Summer 2024.
A design framework [pdf document] has been developed which sets out a vision for Northgate and provides a context for these regeneration projects. The framework explores the area’s culture, history, opportunities and constraints.
Key projects include:
Edward Pease House is a Grade II listed building on Northgate. Following numerous changes to its façade over the years, the building is almost unrecognizable as the original Georgian building, which was home to Edward Pease; sometimes called the “Father of the Railways”. The building is currently in a poor state of repair and is in an area designated as at risk by Historic England.
The building is currently divided into different properties and has multiple owners; one of which is Darlington Borough Council. A feasibility report exploring options for the future of the building as a whole has been developed and will support the council to begin work to save and preserve 142 Northgate (the property currently owned by the council).
The North Road and Northgate House project seeks to regenerate a key gateway into Darlington town centre and will focus on improvements to the public realm and local properties; many of which fall within the Northgate Conservation Area. One priority within the the project includes proposals for the residential development of the Northgate House site and some of Gladstone Street.
The Council is currently trying to secure the sale of Northgate House in order to progress this project.
Watch a short video [external link] about the plan to transform 156 Northgate
The Linear Park project is part of a larger scheme of work to regenerate Northgate; one of the main gateways into Darlington town centre.
The project will focus on improvement to the public realm and local green space, including better surfacing, signage and lighting, and will enhance pedestrian and cycling routes between the Rail Heritage Quarter and Town Centre.