CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to redouble their efforts to fight a contentious development, as a local authority re-submits plans to build on green space.

After withdrawing initial proposals, Darlington Borough Council has drawn up a new planning application for a development that would impact the Cocker Beck beauty spot.

Initial plans proposed building 24 homes on undeveloped land in Eggleston View as part of the Making and Growing Places (MGP) plan, which aims to meet housing demand by establishing almost 6,000 new homes in Darlington by 2026.

Following public consultation, the proposals were withdrawn in August and a new application has now been submitted that would see the development halved in size.

However, The Friends of Cocker Beck believe the latest proposals fail to address concerns around loss of green space, potential flooding and damage to wildlife habitat.

Jan Needham said: “Our thoughts remain as they were over the original plans – we had no objections about the development’s size, we object to the development itself.

“We didn’t want any development in that area and we still don’t –it will break up the land and be a blot on the landscape.

“The plans don’t address our concerns and we will not give in with this – we’ll redouble our efforts, go through the objection process again and if we can find any other tack to take, we’ll take it.”

Dave Winstanley, the council’s assistant director for transport and capital projects, said: “There’s a mix of housing needs and a waiting list for council housing – we have to provide affordable housing.

“We’ve heard a lot of views and made a decision knowing those views needed to be listened to.

“Cutting into the embankment, taking part of the green space and the scale of the development were issues.

“There were going to be 24 flats but now there will be 12 two-bedroom flats, more green space and more landscaping.

“The development is brought forward to reduce the impact of cutting into the embankment and there will be less of a visual impact.

“This area is outside of any flood plain and will have suitable drainage, we’re taking up less than five per cent of the green space and this portion of the site is least valuable in terms of biodiversity.

“My view is that it will be acceptable to develop in this corner without any significant harm to the overall green space.”