COUNCILLORS are expected to give the go ahead to the next stage of work on a garden village in Darlington.

Back in 2016, outline planning permission was granted for more than 1,000 homes, retail space, offices and landscaped playing fields built at a 200 acre site at Mount Pleasant Farm and Stag House Farm on Newton Lane, known as West Park Garden Village.

Work on some of the homes and retail space has already begun, but Darlington Borough Council's cabinet members are expected to approve the sale of land on the bottom edge of the site.

This will allow the construction of roads and drainage systems to open up the Stag House Farm site, which will then enable the build of more than 400 homes.

Speaking yesterday, Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said he was "not ashamed" of wanting to bring more jobs to Darlington - therefore creating the need for more housing.

"The fact is, we require more housing," he said.

"There is some debate about scale, but there is a requirement that we need to build on some green space, and we have ambitions for economic growth in the town."

Earlier this year, Darlington Borough Council was awarded £2.8m from the Government to pay for roads, play areas and schools associated with West Park.

Speaking at the time, Cllr Bill Dixon, leader of the council, said: “We are very pleased that our application for West Park has been successful.

“This means the funds are in place for the important enabling infrastructure, around which the houses will be built.

“This cash quite literally gives us something to build on for the future prosperity of the area and in addressing the issue of undersupply across the market.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: "These developments will begin to unlock our growth potential and give us the means to attract and retain talented people to the area.

“However this tranche of cash is only the start of our plans to radically drive forward sustainable home building in the region."