AN art gallery in Darlington has applied for planning permission to open a cafe.

Owners of the Houndgate Gallery, in Houndgate, have drawn up plans for a cafe.

The gallery has also applied for permission to change existing council conditions to allow retail on the site, so paintings and other artworks can be sold.

The plans are being overseen by Northallerton firm KJW Architectural Services and the application has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

If approved, offices left vacant since recruitment agency Manpower moved to alternative premises in the street could be converted into a shop, with the cafe at the rear of the building.

The project will allow the gallery to exhibit art on three floors.

The application, which can be seen at Darlington Town Hall, also outlines plans to change the building's front by replacing existing windows.

The Houndgate site is in the town centre conservation area, and developers have pledged to make sure any alteration work is designed to be sympathetic with the building's surroundings.