Darlington Church Gets New Life as Workspace

Wharton Construction has submitted plans to repurpose the former St John Church in Darlington into offices and shared working spaces. This Grade-II listed building, a landmark on Neasham Road, closed its doors in 2023 after serving the community for 173 years.

The redevelopment proposal seeks to create a "contemporary workplace" while ensuring the building's ecclesiastical character and social history are honoured. Plans include changing the use from a church to offices, removing redundant pews and fittings, and introducing a new mezzanine for additional floor space. Accessibility will be improved with new lifts, ramps, and stair elements, and all significant architectural features will be retained.

This project is part of broader regeneration efforts in Darlington, including improvements at the Hippodrome Theatre and Business Central campus. The planning statement emphasizes a balanced approach to heritage regeneration, securing the building's long-term future and delivering social and economic benefits for the town.