Homes plan for back garden turned down

10:20am Saturday 3rd May 2008

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A CAMPAIGN group is celebrating after winning the first battle in its war to protect a village's conservation area.

Planners at Darlington Borough Council have refused permission for a plan to develop executive houses in the back garden of 63 Middleton Lane, in Middleton St George.

The planning application caused controversy in the village and led to the formation of the Friends of the Conservation Area (FCA) in Middleton St George.

The group felt there was too much backyard development taking place in the village, which was ruining the conservation area.

The FCA commissioned an independent report from international consultancy firm White Young Green, which backed up its arguments.

Planners rejected the application using delegated powers on the grounds of "cumulative impact on the conservation area".

FCA spokesman Graham Robb said: "This is great news, not just for this application specifically but for any applications for further development in the conservation area.

"Darlington council has listened and adopted the correct approach.

"We hope to build on this and engage the council on how they can work with local residents to defend and improve conservation areas.

"While we can rightly be proud of this decision, we need to keep the campaign going.

"Other applications have been resisted both for Castle Close and further development at Thorntree House.

"We need to continue to fight for the preservation of the conservation area."

It remains possible that an appeal will be lodged by the applicant, but the FCA has said it will fight to ensure that Government officials know they support the council's decision.

The FCA was backed in its opposition to the plan by Middleton St George Parish Council.

Last night, council chairwoman Doris Jones welcomed the news.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted to bits.

"It's a decision for common sense and I'm pleased to see that at last common sense is ruling.

"What's good about this is the fact that the whole village is standing up and saying we're not going to take any more.

"We've put up with and accepted the brownfield development where there were old factories, but we're not going to stand by and let them cripple our conservation area.

"I'm really pleased that planners are listening to us and agreeing with us."