Plans to protect rural settings

They made the pledge after councillors visited some of the most important countryside areas in the Darlington borough.

Members of the authority's environment scrutiny committee wanted to see work in progress on the improvement of three local open spaces.

The Firthmoor grasslands area is being converted into a wildlife reserve and fishing facility in an attempt to reverse years of vandalism and illegal motorbike riding.

Twelve wildlife ponds and two fishing ponds are being created, while the second phase of the project will see an "eco" building created to provide shelter for anglers and store equipment.

But the problem of vandalism has blighted some of the work, according to a council report.

"Since last year's visit, the main issue for the project has been the high level of vandalism to the features," said environment director John Buxton.

"Members were shown the entrance barriers that have been repeatedly rammed by stolen cars. The project has invested large sums into measures aimed at combating this anti-social element, including anti-motorcycle mounds, extra bollards at the entrance and large sandstone blocks across other access points.

"A number of other measures are being discussed as part of phase two."

Councillors also visited the large green area surrounding the Cocker Beck, in the Cockerton area, which flows into the Brinkburn Denes.

The stagnant water and the presence of rats has become a cause for concern for residents in recent years.

Mr Buxton's report says a range of options are available to the council's countryside service, including increasing the water flow and creating more areas of fresh water, through constructing cut-backs and weirs.

It adds: "Presentations have already been given to the community partnership and the service is working closely with Branksome School to progress some of the ideas."

Brinkburn Pond was also said to have been a success, since it was designated as a local nature reserve