A DECISION is due to be made on plans to demolish “eyesore” shops and warehouses in a town centre and replace it with a housing scheme.

Darlington Borough Council wants to knock down the premises from 13-18 Skinnergate and 2 Raby Terrace and redevelop the site.

It also wants to renovate 12 Skinnergate, the listed former Wildsmith’s grocers, which has been damaged by fire.

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If approved, the finished development would include six three-bed houses, flats and ground floor retail units.

The council’s planning committee is due to make a decision on the plans on Wednesday.

The development is part of the council's regeneration plans, and fits with its desire to increase housing, and footfall, in the town centre.

Historic England and the Council for British Archaeology were both broadly supportive of the plans.

However, they both also expressed concerns about the demolition of 2 Raby Terrace, which Historic England said would be a loss to the significance of the conservation area. The Council for British Archaeology objected to the demolition of the building, as it said there was "insufficient justification".

Three members of the public objected to the proposals, including the owners of Skinnergate News, who have written to the council to ask how it will protect their health and safety.

Malcolm and Sharon Dobson said: "Are we expected to trade with the noise, dust and disruption? Given our age this will highly likely be detrimental to our health and unpleasant for our customers."

Other objections voiced concerns about having commercial units below the housing, due to fears they will remain unoccupied.

However, planning officers concluded the site was in a "highly sustainable town centre location" and said the mixed use development was in accordance with the local development plan.

Their report adds: "The proposed development would not have a negative impact on the street scene, in general design terms, nor upon residential and general amenity of the area, highway safety, ecology, flood risk or the archaeological history of the area."

Addressing concerns about the Raby Terrace property, officers were "satisfied" that the conversion and retention of the building had been considered by developers and accepted the reasons for its demolition.

They concluded: "In the opinion of officers, the harm caused to the conservation area by the loss of the No 2 Raby Terrace is overcome by the significant economic, social, heritage and public benefits, as set out in this report, which would be derived from the proposed development."