A NATIONAL conservation pressure group is opposing the possible tarmacing of common land near Durham city centre.

The Open Spaces Society is appalled at the prospect of a third of The Sands, an open grassy area alongside the River Wear, becoming a temporary car park.

Residents are fighting Durham City Council plans to use it for parking while construction takes place on the Walkergate development, nearby.

Walkergate car park is scheduled to close before Christmas, before work starts.

The affected part of The Sands would be reinstated on completion of the Walkergate development, including a new 500-space multi-storey car park.

The new Liberal Democrat leadership has refused to rule out the plan as one of three options for temporary car parking.

The council has applied to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for special consent to construct the car park on common land.

As with similar applications the Open Spaces Society, recognised experts on common land, has been consulted.

Society case officer Nicola Hodgson said: "We're appalled that the council can contemplate using an area of ancient common land, within a world heritage site, and an area of high landscape value, for a mere car park.

"Although the council claims that the car park will be removed after two years, and the land reinstated, it's impossible to restore an historic open space and an ancient common. Clearly, the construction of a car park here will make an irreparable scar on this beautiful area."