The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Economy and Public Protection to seek Councillor’s approval to designate a new conservation area at Middleton St George and to adopt the corresponding appraisal.
It was explained that the report provided justification for the designation of a new conservation area at Middleton St George and adopting the corresponding appraisal. The draft version of the appraisal had been subject to a six-week public consultation period and amendments had been made in light of the comments received.
The report also stated that following the adoption of the finalised appraisal, the text currently marked in yellow would be amended to reflect the adopted status of the appraisal and no other changes would be made. The adopted appraisal will be named the Stockton and Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area Appraisal Adopted Document May 2025.
RESOLVED - (a) That Cabinet recommends that Council adopts the new conservation area boundary at Middleton St George (see chapter 6.0 of the finalised appraisal).
(b) That Cabinet recommends that Council adopts the new conservation area’s name: Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area.
(c) That Cabinet recommends that Council adopts the finalised appraisal for the new Middleton St George Conservation Area.
(d) That Cabinet recommends that 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.