A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a 4,000-home garden village on the outskirts of a town has been ruled "sound in principle" by a planning inspector.

The plan to build more than 4,000 homes at Skerningham has met opposition for more than four years from campaigners who described the scheme as "reprehensible".

The Northern Echo:

Residents were determined to block the plans and protect open green spaces and woodland while Darlington Borough Council consulted on its local plan for the town until 2036.

Today as the plans took a step forward, campaigners who fought to protect the land pledged to "continue to try and retain as much of what we love about this area as possible".

The Skerningham development of up to 4,500 homes on 487 hectares of land is a key part of the 20-year Darlington Borough Local Plan.

Government-appointed inspector William Fieldhouse has delivered his verdict on the plan, including Skerningham.

He said it had "a number of deficiencies in respect of soundness and legal compliance", and recommended changes.

He said the Skerningham site was currently part of attractive countryside identified as a potential "jewel in the crown".

He states in the report: "I have already concluded that the plan’s spatial strategy, which includes several significant extensions around the edges of the town to meet the need for new homes, is justified and consistent with national policy.

"The Skerningham site is the largest allocation in the plan, and is expected to make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs in the plan period and for many years after.

"Despite the loss of countryside, and the inevitable effect that the large scale development would have on the character and appearance of the area, I am therefore satisfied that the proposal is sound in principle."

However, the report says policy and the masterplan for the site need to be changed "so that the plan will be effective in achieving sustainable development".

This will include high-quality design, protecting or reducing harm to significant environmental assets and providing infrastructure and facilities.

Mr Fieldhouse says 1,650 homes are likely to be built on the site by 2036.

He says the council needs to give "maximum clarity about design expectations having regard to the aspirations of the local community".

The report says: "A comprehensive masterplan would then be prepared by the developers, with community engagement.

"Any planning applications would be required to adhere to the masterplan."

The masterplan would include broad locations for new schools, shops and community facilities.

The inspector says policy needs to set out "clear and unambiguous expectations", including clear approaches to green areas, community woodland and heritage.

He says there had been "interest from a number of developers".

He concludes: "It is reasonable to assume that development on the western part of the site fronting the A167 could start in 2023-24 and that a total of 180 dwellings be completed by the end of March 2026."

Council leader Cllr Heather Scott said: "Obviously the inspector has listened to their objections and has come up with view on it.

"There has to be this infrastructure within the village. It's just technicalities about hedgerows and things like that, rights of way.

"But it doesn't affect the overall plan for this development.

"The policy will be effective in securing the effective and sustainable development of the site.

"With some very small amendments he's saying it will be a sustainable development and he has approved it.

"At the end of the day the council has to make the decision and it's up to them.

"I think this is an important document for the prosperity of the town and I would hope that it will be approved.

"It has been in the past a cross-party ambition for the town and I would hope that will continue."

Cllr Alan Marshall, cabinet member for the economy, said options had been heard through the council's consultations.

"And the public examination by the inspector where residents from Skerningham and all the other objectors and supporters of the local plan could have their say.

"And the inspector's weighed all those comments in coming to his decision.

 "There have to be these changes to some of the policy to achieve sustainable development of the site, the provision of physical, social and green infrastructure.

"This is an overarching plan which tells us where and when we can build, how many houses we can plan for.

"These are not detailed development plans. They are yet to come.

"Any development within this plan within those sites identified will have to have detailed planning applications with appropriate consultations.

"As they come forward from the developer for planning, there will be consultation as per the normal planning process, with local residents.

"This isn't saying that this development can go ahead willy-nilly without any further planning process."

Cllr Scott added: "The plans come forward for the planning committee to make the decision on what happens.

"What the planning committee has to take on board are the recommendations here on green open space, infrastructure and so forth, and the standard of housing on there.

"The developer puts forward a plan, and the residents weill be consulted in the same way that everybody is consulted on a planning application."

Campaigners the Skerningham Woodland Action Group (SWAG) said in a statement: "For almost five years, residents who use Skerningham for recreation and find joy being able to walk, jog, cycle or horse-ride around a quiet, unpolluted area alone or with their family and friends, and catch glimpses of the precious wildlife as they go, have lived under a cloud of worry that we could lose a wedge of land dear to us.

"A place of trees and farmland as important to us as the wildlife it supports.

"The cloud hasn’t shifted but has darkened some more today, yet we don’t lose hope and will continue to try and retain as much of what we love about this area as possible."

Kendra Ullyart, campaigner at Darlington Friends of the Earth, said: "The news that has come out today is not the outcome we were hoping for. We hoped that the land around Skerningham was going to stay the way it is.

"We're still reading the report and trying to work out what's happening. 

"Friends of the Earth will continue to work within our community to find the best solutions for people's welfare in Darlington."

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