Development of the former Blackwell golf course remains as contentious as ever. The shock and distress felt by residents and visitors alike when hundreds of trees were felled is still raw. The sense of anger caused was multiplied by the response from local and Borough councillors who failed to grasp the magnitude of feeling in the town.
Matthew Snedker coordinator of Darlington Green Party said; “The response from councillors seemed off-hand, along the lines of ‘it was voted through the planning committee, so what is all the fuss about’. The disconnection between serving councillor and the people they are supposed to represent was alarming and shows why increasingly people are loosing faith in councillors who are seen to have been in post for too long. I know that Amelia has been following what has been going on in the town to protect our trees and I am delighted that she has made the time to see first hand the work we have been doing.”
After a 3 year planning battle the developers, Storey Homes, cleared the former Blackwell golf course of around 180 trees and dredged two ponds thought to contain Great Crested Newts. There was considerable confusion earlier this year when Natural England initially told campaigners that there was no permission to disturb the site, only for a licence to turn up at the eleventh hour.
Matthew Snedker added, “What is of great concern is that Darlington Councillors may have lost control of their planning process. Either they lack the ability to hold developers to the law or they hope that Darlington residents won’t hold them to account for their actions.”
Members of the public can show that they #lovedarlotrees by gathering at Blackwell Grange Hotel from 11:30 or meeting Amelia at the site on Carmel Road South from 12:20.
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