A councillor has issued a plea to protect green spaces as plans for housing were revealed.
Kate Mammolotti, who represents the Hummersknott ward, spoke out against a proposal by Esh Homes to build a new estate on land near Coniscliffe Road.
The Green Party councillor said the area, known locally as the Bullfield, should be protected.
Earlier this year, Darlington Borough Council identified land between the Broken Scar water treatment works and Hummersknott Academy for between 70 and 90 homes.
The local authority said Esh Homes, its joint venture partner, would undertake feasibility work ahead of submitting a planning application.
A mix of four, five and six-bedroom homes has been initially proposed. Esh Homes said the site would consist of a “high quality, spacious and bespoke designed layout with new houses, which are energy efficient and economical to run and maintain.”
The developer has created a masterplan, which it says is focused on delivering “high quality, sustainable neighbourhoods with a clear sense of place and community identity.”
Public consultation is ongoing ahead of the submission of a planning application.
“We hope to create an attractive development that integrates with the surrounding suburban setting,” Esh Homes added.
But Cllr Mammolotti said the majority of nearby residents are against the initial proposal.
She said: “On the back of the relatively recent approval by the council of the larger Coniscliffe Park development, I am personally opposed to this new proposal for building, as it would be on one of the few remaining larger, precious green spaces in my ward.
“My opposition is not against housing; it simply tallies with my belief that we should first develop brownfield sites.
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“My stance reflects my firm belief that we should protect existing green areas - they are crucial to our wellbeing and that of future generations.”
The initial proposal is part of a borough-wide ambition to build thousands more homes in response to high demand and expanding housing waiting lists.
In November 2024, Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee approved plans for 475 homes on land north of Coniscliffe Road, leading to concerns from residents over traffic and capacity issues at local schools and health facilities.
A public consultation event is being held at Salutation Church Hall this evening (Monday, September 29), running until 7pm.
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