Campaigners 'unhappy' with Darlington Skerningham Garden Village

Darlington Borough Council has again been urged to consider the Skerningham Garden Village comprehensive masterplan document at a full council meeting so it can be scrutinised by cross-party councillors. 

An updated version of the detailed development plan was released by Banks Property and Skerningham Estates last week and includes an infrastructure phasing plan outlining details of the development and a community consultation process. 

The garden village is due to cover 487 hectares to the north of Darlington. Up to 1,650 houses and facilities such as a GP surgery and schools could be built by 2036, with a further 4,500 homes planned on the site in the future.

A new distributor road serving a huge housing development is due to be built through a woodland despite concerns. (Image: Skerningham Estates)

It will adjoin the existing communities at Beaumont Hill, Whinfield and Great Burdon. Barmpton Village and the East Coast Mainline are also located near the site. 

However, campaigners have questioned why councillors will not vote on the updated masterplan document and say key decisions should be considered by the full council. Instead, cabinet members will discuss the latest updates at a meeting next Tuesday (December 3). 

Councillor Anne-Marie Curry, cabinet member for adults, has referred the discussion of the masterplan to the council’s Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee. It comes after Darlington Liberal Democrats agreed to work with campaigners to canvas and petition residents in North Road and Northgate wards to oppose the development because it will increase the “traffic chaos” on North Road. 

Members of the Skerningham Woodland Action Group (SWAG) say residents living near the proposed development should be better represented. 

"The cabinet members who get to agree the masterplan do not represent the wards directly affected by the development,” said a spokesperson. “Those that do can speak up for their communities at the cabinet meeting but ultimately what they think doesn’t count. Allowing them a vote at full council would mean that residents are getting a meaningful say from design to delivery, as set down in the garden communities prospectus.”

Campaigners have also shared their concerns after the updated masterplan was revealed. They say a proposed new road from Barmpton Lane is not suitable for the construction access or number of cars and access should be changed. 

The statement added: “SWAG is unhappy with the recently released masterplan for several reasons, including the fact that construction wagons will be causing disruption along Barmpton Lane up until the point the 450th home is occupied, sometime during phase two (2031-2033), when the section of the distributor road over to Bishopton Lane is proposed. 

“We question whether the road has been omitted from the eastern part during phase one because it would make the site financially unviable to include it?"

Campaigners have previously warned that the area, home to wildlife and protected species, should be protected. (Image: The Northern Echo)

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The developers said it acknowledges concerns over the access from Barmpton Lane and it will be addressed at the planning application stage. They added: “As part of any planning permission for the site, a Construction and Management Plan will be conditioned. This will require information on construction and operational traffic to be submitted and approved in writing by the council.”

Banks and Skerningham Estates said there will be further opportunities to comment on the proposed development at the application stage(s) of the development.

A statement added: “The developers remain committed to working with the local community and council throughout the planning and construction process.”