Campaigners have stepped up their bid to stop a controversial housing development from being built. 

Residents from across Darlington, who have been vociferous in their opposition of the proposed Skerningham Garden Village, united at the weekend to protest against the development, while highlighting the impact it is alleged to have on the surrounding environment. 

Up to 1,650 houses and facilities such as a GP surgery and schools could be built on the site to the north of Darlington by 2036, extending to around 4,500 in the future. Campaigners have long opposed the plans though, which they say will have a detrimental impact on nearby wildlife and green space. 

A bid to safeguard land near Skerningham Woodland received a boost earlier this year when councillors were told it had been ‘saved’ from felling as part of the proposed garden village development. The council pledged to invest in the woodland to make it more accessible for residents, but campaigners fear a new access road will cut through the area. 

The latest design code for the development stated that a new distributor road between the A167 and A1150 (Whinfield Road) would be built to provide access for the thousands of potential homes. But the design code was halted earlier this year after the council agreed to a further consultation, as it “fell short on some key objectives” for nearby residents. An update is now not due until the Summer, after the local elections.

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The latest protest was organised by the Skerningham Woodland Action Group and supported by Friends of the Earth and Darlington Green Party, who have pledged to protect the area as a key campaign aim. 

Mike McTimoney, Darlington Green Party candidate for Whinfield, said: “On the doorsteps of Whinfield and Harrowgate Hill, there is still clear anger at the Skerningham Garden Village proposal and the excess house building happening all around Darlington. We will do everything that we can to stop the development, and will fight to minimise the impact that any development will have on residents if it does go ahead."

Dave Clark, co-founder of Skerningham Woodland Action Group and campaigner added: “The design code talked about important wildlife corridors in Skerningham; Skerningham plantation (Skunny Woods) is a very important wildlife corridor and should not have a 40mph distributor road slicing it in half”.