A COMMUNITY woodland has been saved from development after a successful campaign.

People who live near Watling Wood in Leadgate, near Consett, opposed plans to remove trees planted in the early 90s by schoolchildren and Dr David Bellamy.

The environmentalist added his voice to the chorus of opposition to the creation of a double glazing factory and showroom on the site.

Derwentside District Council received over 1,000 names of people protesting to the scheme by local businessman Gary Hall.

Members of the development control committee rejected council officer Graham Blakey’s recommendation of approval and the application was rejected.

Ann Foreman, 64, of Watling Bungalows, Leadgate, helped organise the opposition.

She said: "Many of the parents of the current crop of pupils at Leadgate Infants and Junior School helped David Bellamy to plant the trees 17 years ago when they were youngsters themselves.

"It was their sons and daughters who sent drawings appealing for the trees to be saved which, I am sure, helped to sway the councillors.

"They knew what an unpopular decision it would be locally to allow the woodland which the village helped to create to be destroyed."