DARLINGTON councillors are to discuss a controversial land sale.

On the agenda of a cabinet meeting taking place on Tuesday, May 3 is the disposal of surplus land at Bates Avenue and Hartington Way, Cockerton.

The sites are targeted in council proposals to build on and around the popular Bellburn Lane Field and on the former Alderman Leach school site.

Members of the cabinet are expected to decide on the sale of the land, with the sites set to be offered developers Keepmoat in a bid to meet the need for housing across the town.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting says: “The Council intends to dispose of the Bates Avenue and Hartington Way sites by private treaty to Keepmoat Homes Limited and terms have been agreed in principle.

“Pre-planning consultation has been undertaken by Keepmoat Homes entirely at their risk to inform their proposals and a planning application has been submitted in respect of Bates Avenue.”

Campaigners battling to save the sites from development are urging people to join them at the meeting.

They are also calling on the council to do more to protect existing open space and to be more transparent in their dealings with Keepmoat by releasing further details of the private treaty, something officers have declined to do at this stage.

The meeting will take place from 5pm in committee room 1 at Darlington Town Hall.