The expansion of an out-of-town business park to create three new buildings on a site the size of 14 football pitches is set to be approved despite opposition from environmental campaigners. 

Planning permission is sought for the area comprising three large buildings for industrial, storage, and distribution uses at Lingfield Point, Darlington. 

The total size of the new buildings, parking and service areas on an empty space of land is more than 25 acres and would further extend the large-scale nature of the business park to the east of the town. The proposal on land next to Amazon’s distribution centre off Tornado Way has been submitted by applicant Wyngrove Limited. 

Planning documents state the proposed development would utilise the existing road infrastructure serving the site including a signalised junction on Tornado Way. The three units will be 200,000sqft, 100,000sqft, and 80,000sqft in size with a total of 533 car parking spaces created across the site. 

The Northern Echo: An aerial view of the proposed site off Tornado Way, Darlington An aerial view of the proposed site off Tornado Way, Darlington (Image: The Northern Echo)

A previous outline application was submitted in 2021 for a similar development but has since been withdrawn. 

But among the objectors are local activist groups Darlington Friends of the Earth and Darlington Forest Project. Volunteers have expressed concerns over the potential loss of woodland and hedgerow after thousands of trees were only recently planted in the nearby area. 

A statement sent to the council read: “This area is of particular interest to us, as in 2021 we planted 6,800 trees along the length of the Tornado Way in order to increase tree cover in this area which had the lowest tree cover in town at 9.8%. 

“We note there are multiple hedgerow trees to be removed in the planning application and also the perimeter trees around the small woodland in the south west corner of the site. We would ask that thought is given to redesigning the layout to be able to keep the trees and hedgerow.”

However council planning officers ruled the proposed development is acceptable in respect of highway safety, visual and residential impact, flooding and drainage,Biodiversity net gain and complies with the relevant policies of the Local Plan.

It is recommended the proposal is approved, with a decision due on Wednesday, December 7. 

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