Plans for up to 44 homes on a historical Darlington parkland are set to be approved by councillors. 

The proposal for the new housing estate on part of the former Blackwell Grange golf course, to the south of the town, is due to be considered by Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, December 20. 

The plans show the new estate would be built on an area known as the ‘Blands Corner Triangle’ and would consist of four, five and six-bedroomed homes. 

It comes after Darlington Borough Council previously revealed an ambition to restore the Georgian parkland around the Blackwell Grange Hotel by installing new trees and footpaths to create a ‘naturalistic’ space usable by the public. 

The Northern Echo: The plans show the new estate would be built on an area known as the ‘Blands Corner Triangle’ The plans show the new estate would be built on an area known as the ‘Blands Corner Triangle’ (Image: Esh Homes)

Part of the parkland, to the north of the proposed housing, is designated as a local wildlife site. The wider northern section is also identified as parkland and a green wedge in the Local Plan.

The main access point for the new estate is set to be from the A67 Carmel Road South. 

Responses from residents included 109 letters of objections and 11 letters of support. While the regeneration of the parkland was largely welcomed, many residents raised concerns about future development of the site beyond the initial 44 homes. 

Local campaigners have long stressed the need to protect the area. A 130,000-word study detailing the importance of the historic parkland helped abandon plans for homes in 2019. A map included as part of the reports pack for Wednesday’s meeting does not accurately represent the plans, campaigners added. 

Michael Green, of the Parkland Heritage Network, said: “We’re concerned and it doesn’t feel comfortable that committee members have not been given the original map. And when it says they acquire the site, we know they are going to restore it, but who knows what will happen in five years time?”

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Housing developer Esh Homes is in charge of the scheme following an agreement with the local authority. A statement read: “Esh Homes pledge to restore the park’s historic landscape, bringing heritage elements back into a good condition and re-enlivening the parkland to provide an attractive and accessible public space for Darlington Town.”

Darlington Borough Council’s planning department has recommended the application for approval. 

A report added: “The proposal would result in a significant enhancement to the area through the concurrent parkland restoration with any loss of tree cover sufficiently mitigated by compensatory provision together with significant enhancement.”