PLANS to convert a former bedding shop into flats have been altered and resubmitted.
A new proposal plans to transform the former shop, on Northgate, Darlington, to be converted into 14 apartments and two retail units.
The rear of the ground floor would be converted to create four self-contained apartments while a further 10 would be created on the first floor.
A previous scheme to demolish the Northgate Bedding Centre and replace it with 24 flats and two shops was passed by Darlington Borough Council in October 2020.
It also planned to expand the existing building by building a second floor, but that has been scrapped by the applicant.
The authority said it wanted to transform the Northgate House area, in partnership with the private sector, to create mixed housing and commercial space and improved public green space.
But the developer rowed back on the scheme with a new proposal now up for consideration.
The area includes a mix of offices, retail units, takeaways, restaurants and garages with residential units above.
A meeting of the council’s planning committee in 2020 heard local residents, a local railway group and the authority’s conservation officer had criticised the proposed conversion, despite regarding the existing building an eyesore.
And ward member Councillor Eleanor Lister said Northgate residents were strongly opposed to the plans.
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