A LOCAL environmental group has won a national award for its campaign to save a community woodland which could be destroyed to make way for a proposed housing development.

Darlington Friends of the Earth (DFoE) was recognised by the Earthmovers Awards, organised by the People's Postcode Lottery, for its environmental activism and local environment work in its community.

The group has been campaigning to save Skerningham Community Woodland, near Darlington, from the grasp of developers for four years.

When proposals were first made to turn Skerningham Community Woodland into a housing development in 2017, the group quickly joined other prominent local activists in condemning them.

READ MORE: Campaigners celebrate Skerningham Woodland, near Darlington

Local activists accuse Darlington Borough Council of an "overall lack of public consultation" and say they were only made aware of the plans thanks to local reporting. This brought community groups together and galvanized efforts to save the woods.

The new plans would see 4,500 new homes built on the site, as well as a golf course relocated to a newer stretch of the woodland.

DFoE said the project will have catastrophic implications for the area’s rich nature and wildlife.

Kendra Ullyart, campaigner at Darlington Friends of the Earth, said: “Our work together with the Skerningham Woodland Action Group will hopefully inspire other communities to do everything in their power to protect nature and climate.

“It can be challenging to oppose developers with endless resources, so it’s understandable people often feel powerless to stop their beautiful, nature-rich wild spaces from being destroyed, which only further fuels climate chaos.

“But working with others to protect planet and people is both enjoyable and empowering, creates more cohesive and caring communities, and can have a discernible impact on our changing world.”

Members of DFoE recently produced an educational film about the woodland in an effort to raise awareness of the issue locally and to inform the government inspector assessing Darlington’s Local Plan.

'Skerningham: Jewel in the Crown' combines heartfelt words from members of the Darlington community with beautiful shots of the woodland, DFoE said.

For more information, visit: https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes

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