Have your say on Head of Steam redevelopment plans

15 February 2021

DARLINGTON residents and businesses are invited to have their say on the proposals for the redevelopment of the Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum into a major new visitor attraction and museum.

The proposals intend to develop the existing museum on North Road, as well as surrounding heritage buildings, into a new world class major visitor destination before the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025.

The development will combine multiple listed buildings to create a unique visitor experience.

The refurbishment scheme comprises:

Goods Shed – visitor centre, café and display space in remodelled and refurbished Grade II* Listed building
Head of Steam (Existing Museum) – major exhibition and interpretation space in remodelled and refurbished Grade II* Listed building
Carriage Works – archive, study area, function and temporary exhibition space in remodelled and refurbished Grade II* Listed building
Live Engineering Works – a purpose-built facility for the creation and maintenance of steam locomotives by A1 Steam Locomotive Trust with public viewing facilities and interpretation
1861 Building – a facility for the repair, maintenance, storage and display of locomotives and associated rail artefacts.
Lime Cells – refurbished Grade II Listed building

Councillor Andy Keir, Cabinet member for Local Services, said: “These are exciting and ambitious plans, which would see a world class rail heritage visitor attraction developed in Darlington in time for 2025. I would encourage residents, businesses – and anyone with an interest in rail heritage – to look at the plans and share their views.”

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is not possible to hold drop-in sessions. However, the proposals can be viewed at
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/head-of-steam-redevelopment/

All comments must be received by 5pm on Friday 12 March 2021 and will be considered by the designers as they finalise the scheme. Finalised plans will be submitted to the Council, as the local planning authority, for consideration in July 2021.

Please send any comments to: [email protected]