News Beat
Children’s home approved at ex-St Helen Auckland vicarage
The Vicarage, on Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, will be converted by Durham County Council for up to four children aged five to 17.
It had been used by the Durham Diocese before being vacated in April 2025.
Durham County Council’s Children and Young People’s Service will manage the home, which will see changes including electrical rewiring, new heating, kitchen and bathrooms, fire alarm and CCTV installation.
A garage block will be demolished, and the north face re-rendered.
The building will have six bedrooms, of which four are designated for children and two for staff.
There will also be two living rooms, a kitchen/dining area, staff office, and utility room.
Planning permission was granted by the local authority on January 16, with the condition that it may not house more than four children.
