New era dawns on edge of town

The first parkland to be created in the town in more than a century is to be unveiled at West Park, near Faverdale.

The 35-acre piece of land is an integral part of the West Park village.

Developers Bussey and Armstrong secured outline planning permission for the site in February 2002.

Since then, borough councillors have approved a £20m mental health hospital, hundreds of houses, a primary school and other facilities on the former Darlington Chemicals land.

But Tony Cooper, of Bussey and Armstrong, said the parkland's opening would be one of the most exciting developments yet.

A community event to mark the occasion, with scores of local schoolchildren, is being planned for Tuesday, June 21.

The park is decorated with several striking pieces of artwork, all relating to Darlington's industrial and environmental heritage.

Among them is an enclosure area, inspired by Roman times, which includes the slogans 'This is Quakertown, where sharing took root' and 'This is Locomotiontown, where the railways first ran'.

Mr Cooper said: "Most of the stuff we have done has been because we wanted to do it, not because we were obligated to do it.

"We have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on artwork because we wanted to. This is the people's park."

He added: "We have got our completion certificate from the Environment Agency, so anything to do with the chemical works is finished.

"They don't issue those certificates unless everything has been done perfectly to their standards."

About 130 homes have already been built at West Park, while the village centre is also taking shape.

It will include a convenience store, likely to be the Co-op, and other retail units.

A pub, to be named The White Heifer That Travelled, is also planned.

West Park will be the new home of Mowden Park Rugby Club, which Mr Cooper said could be on site by the end of the year.

A GPs' surgery, children's nursery and village hall are also in the pipeline.