Parish referendum to save hotel from being destroyed

The Save the White Horse Group is hoping parishioners in Whessoe will vote against the demolition of the pub and hotel in North Road and send a message to the borough council.

The group believe signatures from eight local residents would start the referendum process and, at a public meeting held on Wednesday night, 70 people agreed the referendum should go ahead.

A parish meeting will now be held on December 7, at 7.30pm, in Whessoe Parish Hall, where, if ten people vote in favour of a referendum, the group has said it will go ahead.

Save the White Horse has said the results of the referendum could be used as evidence in a judicial review against the council's decision.

Mike Cartwright, spokesman for Save the White Horse, said: "This is a local amenity and there are so many aspects why this is wrong.

"They're demolishing a fairly historic building for yet more blocks of flats.

"We believe we've got a strong case against the council to take to the High Court for a judicial review based on similar cases elsewhere, but we won't know until we apply.

"This was our biggest meeting and we got a lot more people than we expected.

"The referendum process has now kicked off."

The council narrowly approved the scheme to demolish the White Horse and replace it with a block of 55 flats last month.

A spokesman for the council said: "The council's decision was made in line with planning policy guidance and the Darlington Local Plan, which is subject to public scrutiny.

"The objections raised were taken into account but there was nothing of material worth which justified refusing the planning permission."

He added that the demolition of the White Horse could have gone ahead without the council's permission.

He said: "The developer could have gone ahead and they don't have to ask us, obviously, to redevelop the site they've got ask but there's nothing to stop them demolishing it."