PROTESTORS were horrified after learning that part of a park is being transferred to a housing developer.

Residents in Aynsley Terrace, Consett, are fighting to reclaim an area of park sold to Strathmore Homes, that they claim was historically part of Blackhill and Consett Park.

They were outraged to learn that Derwentside District Council is talking about selling a 75sq metre site that is an undisputed part of the park.

The land will go to the developer, to be used as gardens for two of the new homes.

Protestor Dorothy Oxley, who has lived in Aynsley Terrace for 24 years, said: "This is underhanded skullduggery. This land is part of our park and the developer should not get it to improve his site.

"If the council wants to sell part of the park, it should do it at an auction where we could all bid for it. I would put an offer in without a doubt."

The district council decided to sell the land because it will be cut off from the developer's side of a new cycleway and footpath. The present lay-out of the estate means that it could provide a dark corner that could attract muggers or for anti-social behaviour.

Simon le Jeune, the district council's chief planning officer, said: "This is a very small, triangular piece of land, that would effectively be a dead area if left in council ownership.

"This rounds off the estate and prevents there being a dog leg in the development, which would be a security risk."

Alex Johnston, director of Strathmore Homes, said: "The council approached us about handing us the land. It is listed for use as gardens, but will in fact be mostly landscaping.

"If we don't include this area, it will leave a dark corner next to the development boundary that could be a security risk."

The residents are also fighting plans by Strathmore Homes to put in a heritage footpath through an area known as the Top of the Park, linking Aynsley Terrace with a new, 90-house estate and nearby Blackhill and Consett Park.

The campaigners believe the planned footpath goes through land that was historically part of the original park. They have submitted an application to have the site registered as a village green, which would safeguard it as an area of undeveloped open space.