Developer reveals revised plans for auction mart site

Linlathen Developments hopes to put the amended plans for a proposed housing development on the site of Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart before Darlington Borough Council in August.

The proposals are part of plans to build a £14m agricultural and equine centre at Humbleton Farm, on the A68 near the A1, which, if approved, will replace the 125-year-old town centre mart in Clifton Road.

The plans for both developments will be submitted to the council, along with proposals for another housing development in Neasham Road, opposite the football stadium.

The new plans, which have been revised after consultation with residents, show there would be no road access to the development from Waverley Terrace.

The new housing on that street would be a maximum of two-and-a-half storeys high.

There would also be three-storey housing behind a landscaped public car park about 100 yards away from Waverley Terrace.

Some public parking would be available in this car park, which is close to the station. Private residents' parking within the development would be protected by a security entry system.

The proposed development is a mixture of town houses and flats.

Donny Coutts, of Linlathen Developments, which is working on behalf of Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart Company, said the development had been designed to help residents' security.

He said: "The layout of the housing has been designed with safety in mind under the police- approved Secure by Design scheme.

"This means safe pedestrian and road access, good lighting and no dark corners."

Bob Hyslop, managing director of Linlathen, said: "While the final housebuilder for the site has yet to be identified, these are the indicative plans which will be lodged with our application for outline consent.

"The layout is as a result of public consultation and detailed discussions with planning officials from the council. Existing mature trees will all be retained and more trees will be planted.