PLANS for a 'garden village' featuring 4,500 homes, business premises, shops and leisure facilities, close to a controversial proposed link road between two of the region's busiest routes, have been unveiled.

Theakston Estates is planning the massive development on the north side of Darlington, on land west of Barmpton and east of the A167, directly north of Whinfield, in an area around the Skerne.

Protest groups made up of local residents are already gearing up to fight the plans, claiming the proposed A1-A66 link road, which is planned for one of two locations, is an 'enabler' to allocate more land for housing.

One member of the No to the Darlington Northern Link Road group said: "By either route Brafferton - Barmpton and Whinfield will be swallowed up in one urban sprawl."

The site will be planned under the 19th century garden city philosophy; a self-contained village, with its own facilities, green spaces and good transport links into Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council's draft Local Plan has identified the area as a potential major development site as it seeks to deliver 10,000 new homes over the next 20 years.

The authority's leader, Councillor Bill Dixon, said it would be considered if such a development fitted in with "the shape of the town", where planners have traditionally strived to avoid creating satellite residential areas.

He said the council was examining a number of areas across the town which could be potentially developed, and that the Theakston Estates scheme - known as Skerningham Garden Village - would be "in the mix".

Theakston Estates and planning agents Lichfields will hold a public consultation event on the proposal later this month.

Neil Westwick, planning director at Lichfields, said: "These are ambitious proposals which would provide a major employment boost to Darlington and prove vital help achieving the council's projected housing targets.

"We are keen to involve the people of Darlington in developing the proposals and we are aiming to garner as much input from the community as possible.

"This month's public consultation event is the perfect platform for people to come and hear more about the proposals and share their views."

The developers said the proposal would be enshrined in the principles of the Garden City movement set out by the Town and Country Planning Association.

Mr Westwick continued: “Our aim is to deliver a mixed tenure of homes and house types that are genuinely affordable for everyone.

“The development will be designed to enhance the natural environment and provide a comprehensive green infrastructure network.

“The plan is to create a community with strong cultural, recreational and shopping facilities in walkable, vibrant, sociable neighbourhoods, as well as

integrated and accessible transport systems.”

Chris Harrison, director of Theakston Estates, said: “Skerningham Garden Village will be a distinctive, sustainable and thriving new community that is well integrated within Darlington.

“It will provide a balanced mix of high-quality housing as well as diverse employment opportunities and an excellent network of green infrastructure which connects into existing areas of environmental value including the River Skerne corridor.”

After the consultation, developers will create a blueprint, which will be submitted to the council ahead of any allocating of sites in its in-progress Local Plan.

In preparing the Local Plan, the council has already earmarked Skerningham as a potential development site, with employment and shops.

Three development options are currently under consideration with a final masterplan dependent on the proposed development of the North Darlington Relief Road – a project currently being developed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

The consultation event takes place at Harrowgate Club and Institute, Salters Lane North, Darlington, on Wednesday, October 11, from 2pm to 7pm, or on Saturday, October 14, from 10am to 3pm.