CLAD in red cloaks, their faces painted ghostly white, they made for an unusual welcome to a council meeting.
As people made their way into Darlington's Dolphin Centre the ghoulish figures huddled together, a stark and haunting sight in the town centre.
Campaigner Kathy Barley from the Skerningham Woodland Action Group (SWAG) said it was a form of mournful street theatre to highlight the event.
She had her own more straight-forward visual message, a placard which read: "This is bad for our town. Darlington Council, vote it down."
She and other protesters and campaigners gathered to make their views known on the 20-year Darlington Local Plan, particularly the proposals for homes at Skerningham.
Read more: Darlington local plan including Skerningham development is PASSED
Inside the meeting hall, protesters briefly hung a banner over the balcony saying: "Vote for nature, not housing."
One woman held up a sign throughout saying "think about climate change".
Cabinet finance member Cllr Alan Marshall referred to them as a "small but vociferous group of protesters".
But one man speaking against the plans brought a petition with almost 1,400 signatures collected in under a week, saying: "We suggest you listen.
"Really listen to us. We have listened to your many pledges and promises made to protect our green spaces in the run-up to the election. We have not forgotten.
"The public will remember you had an opportunity to say no."
Another speaker, Alan McNab, said the Skerningham development was not needed and would wreak "incalculable and irreversible" damage to the countryside, ecosystem and wildlife.
Read more: Darlington Council discuss local plan as protestors gather in town centre
Judith Murray from the Whinfield Residents Association said they strongly opposed the Skerningham garden village development because of the loss of valuable green space and impact on roads and traffic.
The protesters were a respectful but audible presence as councillors debated Skerningham and the wider Local Plan.
With such important and emotive issues at stake, their strength of feeling could not help but bubble to the surface at times.
Some councillors' speeches were greeted with applause and cheers, others with interruptions or protests from the side of the hall.
The mayor, Cllr Cyndi Hughes, interjected at one point, saying: "Can you please appeal to your better instincts? Will you let the councillor speak, please?"
The campaigners' passion was not lost on councillors, who repeatedly said they appreciated their concerns.
Labour group leader Cllr Stephen Harker said their commitment was "more resolute than I've seen at any time".
Cllr Chris McEwan said it showed Skerningham was still a live issue: "In 2019, the people spoke. Indeed in 2022, they are still speaking."
When the council voted 24-20 for the Local Plan, booing was heard.
Today the Skerningham Woodland Action Group said: "Members of Skerningham Woodland Action Group are deeply disappointed at the outcome of last night's vote on the Local Plan.
"Many members feel very let down by their council given the promises made back in 2019 by Conservative councillors.
"There are many issues involved here, however one key issue is that Darlington Borough Council Highways have only carried out traffic modelling for up to 1,800 houses going into Skerningham, and therefore have no idea if local roads can cope with any more traffic past this figure.
"There is already heavy congestion in North Darlington which will increase with any new homes built.
"This could lead to gridlocking during rush hour traffic, and will also lead to an increase in traffic pollution for those who live close to these congested roads."
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