Campaigners call for Darlington's Blackwell Parkland to be protected

A group of 50 residents gathered on the historic Blackwell Parkland, in Darlington, on Saturday to urge the council to treat the urban habitat with care amid ongoing restoration work. 

The area was designated as a Local Wildlife Area in February 2022 and acts as a ‘green wedge’ to the River Skerne and ‘a stepping stone’ to the adjacent meadows on Grange Road.

Plans to transform the parkland by installing new trees and footpaths to create a ‘naturalistic’ space were welcomed by campaigners who fought to save the area for years.

Read more: Plans show how Blackwell Parkland in Darlington will be redeveloped

However, last week they were alerted to potential damage to the wildlife site, near the Blackwell Grange Hotel, as diggers moved in to carry out parkland improvements, with some describing the works as "destructive digger activity”. 

Michael and Angela Green, from Blackwell Parkland Heritage, said: “We have been inundated with calls from residents about the disturbances and damage to the wildlife site just before the bird nesting season.

“We have spoken to the council who sent out their enforcement team and we await their response and guidance. We are waiting for clarification of what  course of action Darlington Borough Council are going to pursue. We want to know how they intend to protect this wildlife site in the future.”

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Kendra Ullyart, from campaign group Darlington Friends of the Earth, joined the couple at the site on Saturday. She added: “This area should be protected from this kind of activity. We want the council to show leadership and stand up to protect this valuable local wildlife site.”

In response to the concerns, Darlington’s council leader Jonathan Dulston said the authority takes its environmental responsibilities “very seriously”.

He added: “As well as striving to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we are also committed to ensuring any development is carried out sustainably.”