WORKING on his new role as Darlington's "heritage champion" will be almost like going back to school for David Lyonette.

As the veteran councillor admits: "I will certainly have to do my homework."

But he sees that as part and parcel of preserving all that is best of Darlington's heritage.

Amid a flurry of activity surrounding conservation issues, Coun Lyonette was appointed as the borough council's first heritage champion. The role involves working on planning applications or threats to buildings which have historic value to the town - listed or not.

"There has been a growing feeling that this issue needs a keener look before too much of the old town goes," he said. "I know the buildings but I need to make sure I know the history of them as well."

In between conservation areas, there is a threat of the spread of the town centre with shops taking over old residential properties.

"There is nothing wrong with that as such, but we need to keep an eye on the situation," said Coun Lyonette.

Already a member of the planning committee, he will now be automatically involved before an application is put together if it concerns a building thought to be of historic importance.

His appointment was sparked by moves at national level and he sees this as an indication for the council to look more at its old buildings.

In the wake of a stinging report from a review group which warned of a threat to Darlington's heritage, conservation department recruitment is being stepped up and more information could now be passed on to bodies such as the Civic Society and Campaign to Protect Rural England.

He said a classic example of the focus of his job was the war memorial at the hospital site, threatened as part of major plans to revamp parking and other parts of the complex.

It was under threat of demolition but was saved.

In the past, details of an application have usually been left to the planners after outline permission from the planning committee. Coun Lyonette wants to be involved at the detail stage if it is something which affects structures such as the memorial.

Major plans to pedestrianise the town centre are crucial.

"We need to listen to groups interested in preserving the town," said Coun Lyonette, adding that the council was checking on the historic value of the old High Row and waiting for a decision about some of it being listed.

He has been involved in trying to preserve buildings of interest all the time he has been on the planning committee, which he chaired for 20 years. Now as heritage champion he will have considerable sway.

"I would not have taken on the job if it was just to make a few comments here and there," he said.

"We want to stop the erosion of some of the history and do whatever we can to bring back to life buildings which have become covered or hidden."

He sees the whole of the heart of Darlington as something special.

"We have been lucky in that there has been very little change to the old structure, such as High Row and Bondgate," said Coun Lyonette.

"It won't be hard to protect the inner core of the town. It is the spread outwards where the risks are."

He accepted that pedestrianisation would have to be carefully done. But he pointed out the scheme's consultants had national recognition, having worked in Newcastle and Glasgow, where the people felt passionately about their history.

"I am hoping for similar results here," he said.

Coun Lyonette would like to see Darlington mirror places such as Durham and York and the environments which have been created there.

"If we do bring out more of the old character, it would be much more pleasant for visitors and tourists," he said.

Another row concerns whether cycles should be allowed into the town's pedestrian heart.

Groups for the disabled have argued vehemently for riders to be kept out. But the council has decided otherwise.

"We are going to suck it and see for six months," said Coun Lyonette, who said he had seen most cyclists dismount on reaching the town centre.

On conservation as a whole, he said: "It will be a balancing act but I believe the council can bring this off."

So how have places like Durham and York fared in the balancing act?

Daniel Johnson, of York City Council transport planning department, said pedestrianisation was popular with all users.

"When we first considered it in the Eighties, we got a lot of objections. But the business community has realised it is actually good for them because of passing trade," he said.

"With careful design, you can look after the interests of heritage, disabled people, pedestrians and cyclists."

In York, cyclists are not allowed into the centre between 10.30 and 4.30, with slightly different times at weekends. But safe routes have been created next to the pedestrian area.

"York is so popular anything else would not work and the cycling community understands this," said Mr Johnson. "Generally, it is working well for all. I don't think anyone would want to return to the previous system. In fact, we are looking to extend the idea if we can.

"Heritage is also protected. Pollution was hitting many of the buildings - especially the minster."

In Durham, cyclists are banned from two small areas of the centre.

The county council has a cycling strategy and encourages people to use bikes whenever possible. To help in this, the authority has converted disused rail lines into cycle routes.

A spokesman said: "The issue of conservation and pedestrianisation has been taken very seriously and it works for users in Durham."