Demolition of town's tallest building in doubt

Questions have been raised for years over the future of Darlington's Northgate House

A council's struggle to acquire an "eye-sore" town centre building has put its demolition in doubt.

Darlington's Northgate House closed ten years ago, prompting a series of proposals for its future.

In 2021, Darlington Borough Council outlined plans to acquire and demolish the derelict tower block.

A meeting on Thursday heard the regeneration project has stalled, with an admission that acquiring the building through a compulsory purchase order is "unlikely" in the near future.

The economy and resources scrutiny meeting saw the council's Towns Fund programme manager Chris Mains questioned on the future of the building.

Councillor Heather Scott asked what the plan was for Northgate, adding: "Will it just stand and be an eye-sore for longer?"

Mr Mains said a planning application was in the works for the building and the redevelopment of nearby Gladstone Street, adding the authority was still working to secure a compulsory purchase order.

He suggested there had been challenges in getting the current owners to accept the council's offer.

When asked how far the council is from the owner's valuation, Mr Mains said: "It's approximately more than double.

"We have stretched the initial valuation twice, but it doesn't scratch the surface."

Mr Mains said £2.5m of funding earmarked for the building remained on the table, despite the deadlock.

The redevelopment of Northgate is part of a plan to create a new residential and commercial gateway to the town.

A council report states: “Acquiring the site and potentially working in partnership with private sector developers will transform this abandoned area of town."