Planning application
20 Arthur Street Darlington DL3 6SX
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed use - for the use of an HMO (Class C4) as a children's home (Class C2) occupied by a maximum of two children (aged under 18 years old) and up to four carers (one or two sleeping overnight) working on a rota basis
As published by the council, reference 26/00776/PLU
Application record
- Reference
- 26/00776/PLU
- Type
- Proposed Lawful Use
- Status
- Awaiting decision
- Received
- 7 Aug 2026
- Validated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Ward
- Northgate
- Parish
- Darlington Urban Area
- Postcode
- DL3 6SX
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
7 Aug 2026
Received by Darlington
-
19 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 2 October 2026, 8 weeks from validation under the statutory target for most applications. Extensions of time are common and are agreed case by case.
Darlington took a median of 54 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Agent on file, a planning consultancy
62 applications on PlanIndex · across 14 councils · 90% granted
Trade members see who it is, their full track record, and every application they have filed.
See who's behind itDocuments
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
4 documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
Trade members open them from here.
Open the documentsWhat happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with Darlington for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
About lawful development applications
How this application type works
A lawful development certificate is a legal determination, not a planning judgement. It asks the council to confirm either that existing use or works are lawful, often through the passage of time, or that a proposal would not need planning permission at all. The applicant must prove the facts; the merits of the scheme are not considered.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
-
16 Stephenson Street DARLINGTON
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development - Change of use of premises from 2 no. flats (Use Class C3) to 1 no. single dwelling (Use Class C3) together with the reinstating of the external ground floor kitchen door (amended description 10.03.2023)
Granted Lawful development New dwelling 7 docsSeveral homes -
112 High Northgate Darlington DL1 1UR
96% historically approved · decision due ~8 Jul
Change of use of ground floor from retail (Use Class E) to hot food takeaway (Sui Generis) including installation of external extraction flue to rear elevation
Awaiting decision Full applications 17 docs -
68 - 70 High Northgate Darlington DL1 1UW
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed use as a 6no. person HMO (Use Class C4) from a single residential dwelling (Use Class C3) with associated alterations
Granted Lawful development 8 docsDomestic -
North Road Railway Station Station Road Darlington
97% historically approved · decision due ~14 Jul
Notification under Schedule 2 Part 8 (Class A) of the Town and Country Planning (GPDO 2015) for permitted development works to make accessibility improvements to the station platform and associated facilities including regraded entrance ramp, deepened platform width, platform overlay improvements and new platform furniture
Awaiting decision 8 docs -
Unit 9 North Road Retail Park Darlington DL1 2EE
Display of various internally illuminated and non illuminated fascia signs, digital menu boards, artwork and window manifestations to replace existing signage
Granted Advertising Windows or glazing 9 docs -
62 Corporation Road DARLINGTON
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development - conversion of loft into habitable space with dormer extension to rear roof slope, 2 no. velux windows to front roof slope and alterations to windows
Refused Lawful development Extension Loft or dormer +1 7 docs
Other lawful development applications
In Darlington
-
26/00635/LU Granted
30 Clifton Road Darlington DL1 5DS
Certificate of Lawfulness for existing use as a four-person small HMO (Use Class C4)
-
26/00727/PLU Granted
28 High Stell Middleton St George Darlington DL2 1UW
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development - erection of a single storey rear extension
-
26/00663/PLU Granted
9 The Green Hurworth Darlington DL2 2HA
Certificate of Lawfulness of proposed works to a Listed Building - replacement of lath and plaster lime ceilings
-
26/00639/PLU Granted
37 Cherrytree Drive School Aycliffe NEWTON AYCLIFFE DL5 6GG
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development - Erection of a single storey rear extension including three roof lights (amended description).
-
26/00624/PLU Granted
9 Gibb Avenue Darlington DL1 1NQ
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed use - Erection of a single storey rear extension including two roof lights together with the installation of a ground floor window in the existing side elevation (amended description).