Decision due on homes for school site

Developers are seeking permission to site 16 detached homes on land occupied by the former Sadberge Primary School, in Sadberge, near Darlington.

Reiver Homes was to redevelop the one-acre site with three, four, and five-bedroomed homes in two-and-a-half storey buildings.

During public consultation over the scheme, Reiver pledged to subsidise the local bus service with £30,000 if the development is approved.

The firm also agreed to pay for the maintenance of the nearby play area for up to ten years.

The scheme has the backing of Sadberge Parish Council.

Public consultation included a leaflet drop to all homes in the village, followed by a drop-in session at the village hall to give residents the opportunity to look at plans and to discuss any issues with the developer and the architects.

The plan received only one complaint.

In a letter to the council, a resident wrote: "I feel that the village will not benefit from this development as there are not enough facilities within the village to support any further dwellings.

"You only have to look at other villages within the area that have been spoilt by over-development - there are plenty of brownfield sites in Darlington that could benefit from this instead."

The land borders the Sadberge Shrunken Medieval Village - a nationally-important scheduled ancient monument.

The county archaeologist has been consulted and has raised no objections to the plans.

If the scheme is approved by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday, the homes will be built with access roads, footpaths, individual gardens and 38 parking spaces, including garages.

Officers have recommended that the scheme is granted planning permission with a range of conditions relating to parking, traffic management and the preservation of trees.

Sadberge Primary School closed in July 2004 and was demolished two years later. Pupils were moved to Middleton St George Primary School.