THE first stages of a housing development on a former golf course have left the area ‘looking like a hurricane has hit’, objectors say.

Many people in Darlington are said to be shocked at how many trees have been removed from the former Blackwell Golf Club, on Carmel Road.

The clearance is to make way for Story Homes’ development of 59 homes, which was granted planning permission by Darlington Borough Council in December.

One local, Clive Rickaby, said: “Some trees I am told were over 100 years old, and a good number have been taken along by the main road which was a beautiful welcome canopy of trees lining either side of the road - and they have been brutally hacked down to just stumps.

“It looks like a hurricane or tornado has hit that area with a lot of people saying they feel sick and can not bear to go past.

“This is mass destruction of beautiful land and not forgetting the loss of wildlife to this once beautiful gateway into Darlington.

And Michael Green, who lives on nearby Glenfield Road, said: "The tearing apart of the Blackwell Meadows and parkland has begun. Trees felled. Meadow churned up.

"The sight is shocking. Full avenues of trees down. No regard for wildlife, the views of residents and the community.

"The side footpath along Carmel Road South is destroyed beyond recognition.

"After seeing what I have seen on my drive home today, I am going to have to change my route home, as it has left me feeling sick and very upset, which is not something I wish to repeat every day.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: “Planning permission has been granted to build houses on the site and as part of the planning process approval was also granted for the removal of the trees. This is the work which is now being carried out.”

Councillor Heather Scott, the Conservative councillor for the Park West ward, said residents in her ward had been part of a thorough consultation process over the plans.

"Many of the trees that have been removed are because they are diseased," she said. "Others have come down as there has to be a good sight line for drivers at the new junction. Plus the road is going to be widened because of a development at the other side of the road."

A spokesperson from the developer said: “Following the granting of planning permission in December 2017, we have begun preliminary works on the Blackwell Grange site, which includes the removal of the trees.

"As part of the planning process, Darlington Borough Council granted approval for the tree removal. Last month, we wrote to local residents that live near the site boundary to advise them that preliminary works would soon be starting.”

YOUR FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Shaun Ackerley: Terrible, whoever approved this should thoroughly ashamed."

Kieron Macdonald: Please name and shame the person who authorised this needless act! 

Tim Ellis: DBC doing its utmost to destroy the town of Darlington. Same as Mcmullen Road. Rip down trees and build more more more houses. Population only twenty years ago was 59 to 60 thousand now heading towards 110 thousand. Soon to be even more..

Jane Jackson: Those trees have been there for decades and longer. Sheer environmental vandalism

Zena Braithwaite: This is criminal, the poor trees :( It's a low area and will be more prone to flooding now. Also when I lived in Stanhope Road and a neighbour needed a tree cutting down due to damage to the property the council said no and put a letter in every house in the street to report them if they tried. Double standards.

Heather Roockley: I can't believe they got permission! Absolutely tragic. My first memories of driving through Darlington twenty years ago were the beautiful tree lined avenues and streets which gave the town its unique character.

Chris Wright: Shocking they were beautiful trees

LiznRay Smith: Couldn't believe it when we drove past yesterday. It used to be a lovely welcome to Darlington. As mentioned, if we wanted a nuisance tree felled, permission would be refused.