CONTENTIOUS plans to allow the development of historic Darlington parkland could be rubber-stamped by councillors during a pivotal meeting tonight.

Planners earmarked 12 acres of land across Blackwell and parts of the former Blackwell Grange Golf Club after the green space was branded “surplus to requirement” by Darlington Borough Council last year.

And planners working towards strict quotas set out in the town’s Local Plan are hoping to secure the land boarded by houses and the A66 to move the development process forward.

Cabinet members attending the Town Hall meeting this evening will be recommended to approve the appropriation of land, which will see the site’s purpose formally change.

A blueprint of how the area would be developed was publicly exhibited in July last year, with residents immediately expressing their concerns over more than 50 features of the land that make it historically important.

However a document prepared for councillors is set to urge cabinet members to approve the appropriation on the grounds that it will improve the area as a whole.

The report states: “The redevelopment of the land will improve the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of the borough and the effect of appropriating land in this way is that the rights of affected third parties, such as rights of light and rights of access, can be overridden.

“Appropriation extinguishes the potential for third parties claiming rights over the council’s land.

“The recommendations are supported as the appropriation of the land for planning purposes will facilitate the restoration of the remaining open space to parkland, will contribute to the improvement of the local economy by providing high quality dwellings and will allow public access to the remaining open space.”

Plans previously outlined that the development could include around 40 luxury apartments, executive homes and assisted living accommodation.

The Grade II listed Blackwell Grange Hotel would also be contained within the proposed development site, which forms the building’s original estate.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the cabinet meeting from 5pm tonight (July 12), in Darlington’s Town Hall.