Latest news with #DarlingtonCouncil
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Darlington set to introduce tougher rules in crackdown on HMOs
Tougher rules are set to be introduced to combat the rapid increase in shared housing throughout Darlington. Councillors will vote on plans to force all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), regardless of size, to go through the full planning process under Article 4 regulations. Currently, only properties for more than six people are regulated, meaning several applications could be approved without public or council scrutiny. A council report, due to be presented to cabinet members next week, states HMOs can 'create issues' if they are not properly planned or managed. The shared housing method is often used by young professionals as an affordable and flexible housing option. News of the council's intentions is a significant breakthrough for campaigners who warned about the quality of accommodation and their concentration within certain locations. Earlier this year, residents on Greenbank Road in Darlington urged the local authority to introduce stricter measures to curb the number of properties being converted into HMOs. They said landlords are contributing to the 'uncontrolled transformation' of their neighbourhood, as more homes are reconfigured to suit multiple occupants. 'The introduction of an Article 4 direction will enable the council to control the location and quality of new HMOs,' the council report said. 'This will help deliver the council's aspiration of providing quality, affordable housing for all. It would also provide more information on their whereabouts.' Speaking ahead of a meeting on Tuesday (July 8), Council Leader Stephen Harker said: 'In a few days, cabinet will consider a report recommending introducing regulations that will mean smaller HMO conversions will be brought into the planning process, residents are concerned, and we are listening.' 9-bed HMO plan rejected after concerns Darlington street is 'losing its identity' Meanwhile, a new strategy outlining the council's vision to provide high-quality homes to meet the housing needs of residents has been created. The authority's Homes Strategy for the next five years details plans to ensure access to safe, comfortable and sustainable housing for all, with a focus on building new affordable homes. Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for the economy, explained: 'Our Homes Strategy is a vital part of our bid to improve the quality of life for all in Darlington and to ensure it remains a place where people want to live, work and visit.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Darlington Eco-Fair to feature 'environmentally-friendly' attractions
Dozens of environmentally friendly attractions are set to feature at Darlington's Eco-Fair. The annual event, organised by Darlington Council, will take place in the Market Square on Saturday, June 7. The free event will run from 10 am to 3 pm and will showcase traders and organisations from County Durham, Teesdale, and North Yorkshire. Bee keeping, candle making, and upcycling are some of the features at this year's eco-fair. (Image: Darlington Council) The event falls on the first day of Great Big Green Week. Darlington Beekeeping Association and Askews Candles are among the exhibitors at the event. There will also be stalls from Litter Bug Crafts, Leah Sophie Designs, Heather and Hawthorn, and Pretty and Preloved. An abundance of 'environmentally-friendly' food will be on offer, with stalls from The Jamporium, Pure Nougat, Suma Wholefoods, and The Tea Enthusiasts. Other stalls include Myriad Stained Glass, Plantopia, Pretty Wild Seeds, Respect Soap, and Budget Seeds. Read more: Solved: Decades-old mystery of wooden bridge submerged in County Durham river Vacant County Durham building to be turned into takeaway after plans approved Meet the 80-year-old mountain rescue volunteer with 54 years of saving lives County Durham branch of CPRE (formerly the Campaign to Protect Rural England), Durham Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, and the Tees Rivers Trust are some of the environmental organisations set to be at the event. Andrew Thompson, chair of CPRE Durham, said: "It's a great event to attend, whether as an exhibitor or a visitor. "Our charity is the voice of the countryside, and we enjoyed talking to people last year about the way we seek to protect our beautiful green spaces and inviting them to get involved." The eco-fair coincides with the start of Great Big Green Week, the UK's biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature, which runs from June 7 to June 15.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Filthy conditions at Darlington takeaway's 0* inspection exposed as ex-owner fined
Filthy conditions at a Darlington takeaway's previous zero-star inspection have been exposed as the venue's former owner is slapped with £1,600 in fines. Spice 4 U, on Cockerton Green, was told major improvement was necessary at a routine visit from food hygiene officers last September. Inspectors found a dirty premises, dirty equipment, and poor food handling practices at the site, handing it the lowest food hygiene score possible. And while Spice 4 U is under new ownership and has made improvements, currently holding a 'good' four-star rating, the venue's previous hygiene failings have now been revealed. Images from the food hygiene inspection at Spice 4 U on Cockerton Green in Darlington (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) Shocking pictures from inside the venue show dirty light switches, a dirty drawer filled with kitchen utensils and other items such as rubber bands and a hammer, and dirty shelving. A number of immediate actions to improve the cleanliness of the premises and associated equipment were identified by the council which business owner, Shahin Ahmed Choudhury, Gresham Close, Darlington, failed to comply with. Following an interview under caution, the council progressed a prosecution under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. Images from the food hygiene inspection at Spice 4 U on Cockerton Green in Darlington (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) This week, at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, Choudhury was prosecuted for hygiene offences and ordered to pay more than £1,600 in fines and court costs. Darlington Council said the decision taken this week 'sends a clear message to business owners who fail to maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness within their facilities' that action will be taken by the authority. Brian Whelan, environmental health manager at the council, said: "Every week our environmental health officers visit local businesses to inspect the cleanliness of their facilities and how food is handled, stored, prepared and managed. Images from the food hygiene inspection at Spice 4 U on Cockerton Green in Darlington (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) 'At these inspections, venues are awarded an official hygiene rating between 0 (urgent improvement required) and 5 (very good). "Prosecutions like these are rare and are only made where attempts to engage businesses and resolve issues have failed. 'Spice 4 U has a poor history of compliance with food safety & hygiene regulations, and we hope that the action taken will serve as a deterrent for future infractions." It is now under new ownership (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for economy, added: "The town boasts a huge variety of restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, food vans and stalls, and I am delighted that 95% of all premises which serve food and drink demonstrate good or very good hygiene standards. Read More: Work underway at Bannatyne Ingleby Barwick for padel courts Estabulo 'reviewing future plans' of Darlington restaurant Flowers and messages as Stanley 'shooting' probe enters third day Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. . 'However, this serves as a reminder to the public to remain vigilant and to report any concerns about food establishments, including suspected food poisoning or allergy incidents, to our environmental health team which works tirelessly to ensure that the food available in Darlington is safe and that food businesses comply with the necessary hygiene legislation." People visiting takeaways or eating out in Darlington are encouraged to check the establishment's hygiene rating. Most businesses will display these in their window, but they are also available online at or via the Food Standards Agency app.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Food for kids prioritised with £1.6m support fund
Money from a scheme originally set up to help people during the Covid pandemic will be targeted at children in low income families, a council has said. Darlington Borough Council has received £1.6m from the Household Support Fund, which was introduced in 2021 but has since been extended several times. In a report detailing plans for the money, officials said the majority – about £885,000 – would be used to pay for food vouchers during school holidays for children usually eligible for free meals. Councillors, who have been recommended to accept proposals to "help those who are struggling to afford household essentials", will vote on the plans on Tuesday. The vouchers would be given to about 5,000 families in the town, while £176,000 would be spent on crisis support grants and £80,000 given to food banks. It also said about £35,000 would be spent on school uniforms for low income families. Darlington Council said the pot of money provided this year through the fund was 12% down on the amount it received last year. The scheme is aimed at vulnerable people, but individual councils decide on eligibility criteria and how the money is spent. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Darlington Borough Council
