DEVELOPERS are hoping to build more than 1,500 new houses and a school to the west of Darlington.

The proposed Coniscliffe Park development would feature up to 1,520 houses, a new primary school and shop as well as sports pitches and children’s play facilities.

In recent months, developers Taylor Wimpey and Gladman have had “pre-application discussions” with Darlington Borough Council and stakeholders to prepare a masterplan for a development close to Mowden, on fields adjacent to Baydale Beck.

The project – which would also make provision for further new infrastructure – would see a mixture of high quality and affordable housing built, with access provided from Staindrop Road and Coniscliffe Road, where new junctions will be created.

Proposals are currently at an early stage of development, with two outline planning applications expected to be submitted in the near future.

The applications would detail the principle of the development and include information concerning access to the site, with further details to be considered at a later stage of the planning process.

Developers claim the proposals will bring a “wide range of benefits” to Darlington, with the plans set to include 38.8 per cent of public open space.

In a leaflet published to advertise an upcoming public consultation meeting, Taylor Wimpey says their plans would see retention and upgrades to existing public rights of way on the site and the provision of landscape planting to complement existing hedgerows and trees.

A spokeswoman for Taylor Wimpey said: “In recent months, we have been undertaking pre-application discussions with Darlington Borough Council, for a proposed sustainable development on the land south of Staindrop Road and north of Coniscliffe Road.

“Featuring up to 1,520 homes in addition to a new primary school, a local convenience store, sports facilities and open space for the whole community to enjoy, we’re confident the plans will provide a lot of benefits to the region.”

Taylor Wimpey and Gladman will host a public consultation meeting ahead of submitting applications to the council in relation to the project, which will be split across two sites managed by the respective companies.

The meeting will take place at Mowden Junior School from 3.30pm to 7pm on Wednesday, November 9.

Representatives from both companies will answer questions and take feedback and suggestions on the proposals, which are at an early stage of development.