Darlington Council is in talks to purchase Northgate House for redevelopment, but communication issues have stalled progress on the deal
Darlington: The council is looking to buy Northgate House to kick off a big redevelopment in the town center. They want to turn that area into something fresh and exciting.
But, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. They’ve hit some bumps along the way, mainly due to issues with contracts and getting in touch with the current owners.
Last summer, things looked promising, but now it feels like they’re just waiting for a response that hasn’t come. It’s frustrating for everyone involved.
The council first talked about tearing down the “eyesore” tower back in 2021. They’ve got big plans for a new mixed-use space that would really revitalize the Northgate area.
Mark Ladyman, who’s in charge of economic growth, mentioned they were in talks with the owners and even got an independent valuation done. But since sharing that info, it’s been crickets.
They’re hoping to demolish Northgate House to make way for this new development. There were talks about using a compulsory purchase order, but that’s a tricky process, and nothing has come of it yet.
The idea of buying Northgate House came up during a council meeting about how to spend government funds to improve the town center. The Towns Fund has already pumped millions into other projects, so there’s a lot at stake.
Unfortunately, the council is also struggling with other redevelopment plans, like the one for Victoria Road near the railway station. It’s been tough to get the owners on board.
Mr. Ladyman expressed his disappointment, saying it’s hard to engage with property owners. They’ve had some success with other areas, but it’s been a challenge with Victoria Road.
Councillor Chris McEwan emphasized that working with land and building owners is crucial for moving forward. It’s a tricky situation, and they’re doing their best to navigate it.
