THE vast majority of respondents to the Darlington Local Plan consultation including myself, want the Skerningham Strategic Development Policy H10 to be removed from the Local Plan because they know and cherish the Skerningham countryside and woodland and can understand the destruction and the significant harm to the environment which the Skerningham Development will cause.

It is being called a garden village but it isn’t because it will be urban sprawl.

The current recession makes this development unnecessary.

Very few people will be able to afford the mansions in Skerningham.

The Skerningham countryside and woodland is important, not only for its contribution to combating climate change, and it is rich in wildlife which contributes towards a balanced ecosystem.

Skerningham also contributes to the health and wellbeing of the people of Darlington and enables the young to appreciate, learn from and respect the natural environment on their doorstep.

The Guide to Darlington Borough Council’s own Green Infrastructure Strategy 2013 to 2026 recognised the importance of the countryside and woodland and specifically refers to plans to develop the Skerningham Countryside Park as a natural, rural place and a learning environment with full protection against unnecessary harm to it.

The mature trees in Skerningham Community Wood will be felled and replaced by the golf course.

I commend those councillors who voted in favour of the destruction of Skerningham to read the Green Infrastructure Document and reflect on what may be lost.

There is a danger here that Darlington Borough Council are repeating the mistakes they made with Crown Street Library when they ignored public opinion.

The council must now recognise that there is once again solid opposition to the Skerningham Development and remove it from the Local Plan.

Alan Macnab, Darlington.