AN online petition to garner support to protect historic parkland in Darlington has reached the 1,000 signature mark.

Members of the Blackwell Action Group launched the campaign to save the Blackwell Grange Parkland from housing development.

The petition urges to people to sign the resolution: –That the Historic Blackwell Grange Parkland, Darlington, Co Durham be removed from the Draft Local Plan. Consideration to be made for a conservation area.

In February, more than 70 people attended the protest on a Sunday morning where a bag pipe player and the sounds of honking horns showed people’s support.

The group has already spoken to the candidates standing for election in the Park West Ward at next month’s Darlington Borough Council elections. to secure their support for the campaign to protect the parkland.

Anyone wanting to add their name to the petition to show support is urged to visit www.change.org