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Public square plan to revive rundown area of town centre (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Public square plan to revive rundown area of town centre
11:29am Friday 3rd July 2009
A NEW public square could be built in Darlington town centre.
The £500,000 space is being considered by Darlington Borough Council in conjucntion with the relocation of the Department of Children, Schools and Families to the Feethams area of town.
The square could be built behind the Dolphin Centre, between Houndgate and Beaumont Street.
A design has yet to be agreed, but a mix of soft and hard landscaping is envisaged to contrast with the market square and Pedestrian Heart.
A square in that part of the town centre could encourage small-scale complementary developments, such as cafes, bars and restaurants.
The government department aims to move from Mowden to a purpose-built office behind the leisure centre, on a site at present being used as a car park.
Loss of parking spaces would be mitigated by a temporary car park on the site of the old bus station at Feethams, which expected to be completed this summer.
Darlington Borough Council cabinet meets on Tuesday when members will consider a request for £31,611 to pay for a design for the square.
There would be public consultation.
John Storey, chairman of Darlington Civic Trust, said his members would be keen to play a part in the consultation process.
“Our primary concern is to make sure that the area of the Skerne is opened and enhanced to improve the view of the town out on to St Cuthbert’s Church.
“If there’s going to be a comprehensive development of the car parks, then the total scheme should certainly include some sort of public open space,” he said.
It is anticipated the cost of developing a square would be £426,753, with annual maintenance costs of about £7,000.
The council could recoup money through the sale of land to the DCSF and is exploring external funding sources.
The report to cabinet adds: “The development of the square makes sense at this time, in advance of the other public goods, due to the developer’s interest on this side of Feethams and the potential added value it will bring to both proposed and future development.”
The aim would be to have the square finished by 2012 to coincide with completion of the DCSF offices.
The meeting is on Tuesday, at 5pm, in the town hall.
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