Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Economy and Public Protection.

The Cabinet Member responsible for the Economy Portfolio, and the Executive Director, Economy and Public Protection, submitted a report (previously circulated) which sought approval to designate a new conservation area at Middleton St George and to adopt the corresponding appraisal. The submitted document was titled Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area Appraisal. Finalised document. May 2025.

The report provides justification for the designating a new conservation area at Middleton St George and adopting the corresponding appraisal. The draft version of the appraisal (December 2024) had been subject to a six-week public consultation period. Amendments have been made in light of the comments received.

The Cabinet Member responsible for the Economy Portfolio also made reference to comments made by Historic England, which have been addressed. The Cabinet Member also reiterated thar the appraisal was wholly evidence based.

RESOLVED –

(a) Council adopts the new conservation area boundary at Middleton St George (see chapter 6.0 of the finalised appraisal).

(b) Council adopts the new conservation area’s name: Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area.

(c) Council adopts the finalised appraisal for the new Middleton St George Conservation Area.

(d) Council authorises the amendment of finalised appraisal with regards to the text marked in yellow, to reflect the adopted status of the document. The adopted appraisal will be named: Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area Appraisal. Adopted document. May 2025.

Reasons –

(a) Fighting Cocks was an original stopping point (station) along the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) of 1825. The presence of the railway led to the establishment of the Middleton Iron Works in 1864, which sparked the development of the village of Middleton St George.

(b) The bicentennial of the S&DR is this year. There will be many events along the former route to celebrate the birth of the modern railway. Darlington Borough Council (DBC) has been making significant S&DR-related investments, and Middleton St George Parish Council is also preparing for its celebration within the village. Over the past few years, heritage assets at Fighting Cocks have been promoted through the Middleton St George Neighbourhood Plan, S&DR Heritage Action Zone and Fighting Cocks Heritage Hub.

(c) The appraisal demonstrates in detail that sufficient special interest survives at Middleton St George which is associated with the S&DR and the industrial development of the village justifying the designation of a conservation area. It picks up the ‘unfinished’ work by Durham County Council who proposed a (different) conservation area boundary for Middleton St George in 2022.

(d) The draft conservation area boundary proposed by DBC has generally been welcomed by residents who took part in the public consultation. It is also supported by the Friends of the S&DR and Middleton St George Parish Council. Amendments have been made following feedback received, including concerns raised by Historic England.

(e) Once the conservation area boundary has been adopted, the appraisal will provide an evidence base for managing change in the area and form a material consideration in the Planning process. Conservation area designation can also assist if funding is sought for larger regeneration or conservation schemes within the boundary.

(f) The appraisal also includes suggestions to improve the condition of the area. These are in line with the aims of the Middleton St George Neighbourhood Plan and the Fighting Cocks Heritage Hub.