A FURTHER protest is due to take place today against any more development in an area where more than 200 trees have been cut down.

The Blackwell Residents Action Group will convene on the verge by the former Blackwell Grange Golf Club, on Carmel Road South, from 10am to 12.30pm.

They are protesting against the sheer amount of trees being cut down on the former golf course to make way for a 59-home development, leaving it looking ‘like a hurricane had hit’, according to one objector.

Clive Rickaby, of the group, said: “After the community saw the devastation of allegedly 200 plus trees felled, to the once beautiful meadow land... the community do not want it happening on the historic parkland.

“The protest will be to focus on keeping the historic Blackwell Grange Parkland free from any development and to keep the historic parkland, with 53 areas of significance, for the people of Darlington.

“This would maintain the tree canopy next to the road and a further 75 plus trees on the parkland, and would also save having another junction on the brow of the hill, on a very busy road close to the Blands Corner roundabout.”

He said that the group had met with Darlington MP Jenny Chapman yesterday to discuss the ‘devastation’ at Blackwell.

There are sites earmarked for development across the road from the current Story Homes site, on parkland close to the Blackwell Grange Hotel.

But objectors are arguing that a report commissioned by the council itself showed there were 53 areas of ‘considerable significance’ on the parkland, and ‘no development’ should be pursued, instead implementing a parkland restoration plan.

Mr Rickaby said: “The sale of this valuable land will provide a ‘quick fix’ of cash for the council at the expense of our local and national heritage.

“The impact on what we consider to be a rare survival of formal garden designs which were incorporated into a later English parkland will result in permanent damage to the park and to the setting of the listed building.”

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said the council had been working on a development plan for land near Blackwell Grange Hotel for some time.

"That includes restoration and public access to the historic parkland," she said.

A planning application will be submitted then the development land earmarked will be marketed for sale.