Plans for new Sainsbury's Local in Darlington set to transform former Elm Ridge Garden Centre site
The proposal for a new Sainsbury's Local in Darlington is set to be approved by a council planning committee next week
by Bill Edgar · ChronicleLivePlans are in the pipeline to transform a former garden centre site into a convenience store and offices, with approval looking likely. The proposal for a new Sainsbury’s Local in Darlington is set to be reviewed by a planning committee next Wednesday (October 9).
Elm Ridge Garden Centre, which had been trading in the town for several decades, shut its doors in April 2023. Initial plans for the Coniscliffe Road and Carmel Road South site were unveiled later that month but underwent revisions this summer.
Ward Estates aims to knock down the existing buildings and construct a mixed-use site. The proposed Sainsbury’s Local would take up the ground floor, while offices would be housed on the first and second floors.
A new car park with 44 spaces is also part of the plan. Darlington Borough Council’s planning department has given the proposal the thumbs up. The existing buildings on the site have been significantly stripped internally and externally since the closure.
A statement from ELG Planning read: "The convenience store element is intended to be operated as a Sainsbury’s Local, with the applicant in discussion with them to take on the unit pending approval of planning permission. These stores are targeted to be local ‘top up’ stores that allow more convenient access for local customers, reducing the need for dedicated, larger shopping trips to conventional supermarkets, allowing more local shopping trips and reducing the need to travel by car."
The plans have met with opposition, with 43 letters against the proposal submitted, while four letters in support were sent to the council.
Residents have voiced concerns over the potential for increased traffic and questioned the necessity of another convenience store. However, one supporter argued: "This part of Darlington is crying out for a good convenient store."
The area already boasts several convenience stores including two on Cleveland Terrace, a petrol station, a Mace store and Post Office at Blackwell, and the Co-op at Mowden.
In addition to the proposed store, Ward Estates has plans for a public art installation at the site, stating: "Taking inspiration from the history and setting of Elm Ridge the steel sculpture will be coloured and formed into the shape of the leaves, branches, flowers and creatures. These creatures include the White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly and the Light Emerald Moth which are two of the many Lepidoptera that call Elm trees their home."
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