THE proposed Sports Village around the Northern Echo Arena may have received support as a concept but serious thought has not been given to actual need for more complexes, more retail and even more housing in Darlington.

Are residents being asked to really believe the addition of thousands of houses isn’t going to adversely affect their quality of life?

This is yet another example of ‘build it for building sake’ mentality, with absolutely no basis in reason, consultation or true planning.

The town already has a sports village, at Eastbourne, on land it owns and maintains (i.e. pays for). Darlington Borough Council would serve people far better by investing resources in quality pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the town and to villages such as Hurworth, linking them to facilities.

Developing leisure facilities in the town centre, rather than cutting the library taking space from the Dolphin Centre, is a far better approach to improving efficiencies.

Far from ‘ambitious’, this idea will add to the problems already facing our town and create a further legacy of failed policy.

Darlington Green Party is developing an ambitious and sustainable plan that supports sporting establishments like Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Football Club and improves life for residents.

Thomas Robinson, Darlington Green Party