Skerningham garden village plan deemed 'sound in principle'

Darlington Council has earmarked green space at Skerningham for more than 4,000 homes

A controversial plan for a 4,000-home garden village on the outskirts of Darlington has been ruled "sound in principle" by a planning inspector.

Darlington Borough Council has earmarked land at Skerningham for future development in its local plan.

Residents and wildlife campaigners called the plan "reprehensible" for causing the loss of green space.

Planning inspector William Fieldhouse said the council's proposal was "justified" but needed some changes.

The Skerningham development of up to 4,500 homes on 487 hectares of land is a key part of the 20-year Darlington Borough Local Plan, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Fieldhouse said the Skerningham site was part of attractive countryside identified as a potential "jewel in the crown".

'Dark cloud'

He said the council's proposal did have "a number of deficiencies" but ruled it was "justified".

"Despite the loss of countryside, and the inevitable effect that the large scale development would have on the character and appearance of the area, I am therefore satisfied that the proposal is sound in principle," he said.

Suggested changes included ensuring any houses built were sustainable while harm to the environment needed to reduced.

Mr Fieldhouse said 1,650 homes were likely to be built on the site by 2036 and there had been "interest from a number of developers".

Council leader Heather Scott said the local plan was an "important document for the prosperity" of Darlington.

Detailed planning applications would need to be submitted to the council for approval before any building work could begin.

The Skerningham Woodland Action Group (SWAG) said residents "find joy being able to walk, jog, cycle or horse-ride around a quiet, unpolluted area and catch glimpses of the precious wildlife as they go".

It said people had been living "under a cloud of worry" since the plan was outlined and the cloud "has darkened some more" with the inspector's ruling.

"Yet we don't lose hope and will continue to try and retain as much of what we love about this area as possible," a spokesman said.