New flats are set to be built inside derelict town centre buildings as part of a wider plan to revamp Bishop Auckland. 

Multiple proposals for apartments on Newgate Street have recently been submitted, as developers look to bring some of the empty buildings back into use. 

A proposal for six new apartments at 215-217 Newgate Street has been approved, paving the way for further redevelopment in the main shopping area.

The property will now be renovated to provide ‘high-quality’ accommodation in the town. 

The Northern Echo: The site is opposite the Morrisons supermarket in the town The site is opposite the Morrisons supermarket in the town (Image: Google)

The site is currently uninhabitable due to its poor condition and consists of one large residential unit across the first and second floors and two vacant retail units on the ground floor. Another retail unit is due to become vacant in the upcoming weeks.

A planning statement says the applicant will renovate the building “to avoid it becoming another empty property statistic in the local area, as there are over 30 other empty units on Newgate Street alone”.

The new flats will be split into five one-bedroom apartments and a two-bed apartment. 

"This proposal would bring back into beneficial use currently underused floorspace improving the vitality of the surrounding area and contributing to the further diversification of the town centre and wider regeneration initiatives,” the applicant said. 

Further down the road at 14 Newgate Street, plans have also been submitted to create four flats. The building has been used for a number of commercial purposes since its original use as a public house and hotel.

The Northern Echo: The Newgate Street building is due to be repurposed The Newgate Street building is due to be repurposed (Image: Google)

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County councillor Sam Zair is cautious about the future developments, however.

“It depends who they are marketed at and who can afford them,” he said. “Opening up and bringing properties back into use is good but it depends who they attract. I have reservations.”

The site is opposite the future new STACK development, which is due to open next year. The current building, which housed a former butcher’s shop and WHSmith, is set to be flattened with a new permanent building put in its place.

STACK bosses have admitted the new venue had been hit by delays, but said work is now “moving forward” and activity at the site will begin “in the next three to four weeks”. Once complete the new venue will have a selection of bars and street food vendors.