Nursery idea (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Nursery idea

6:45pm Monday 30th July 2012 in Letters

Sir, – I was sorry to hear of the proposed closure of the Darlington Council-owned Nuburn Nursery and the relocation of Woodburn Nursery, the facility for producing plants for our parks and roundabouts in Darlington.

I am told Woodburn is being moved to rented facilities in Croft. The land on Salutation Road was redesignated in the local structure plan so it may be sold to a developer for up to 15 houses to be built in the space. The meeting which decided that I am told took place in February 2012.

In the present financial climate, I think any developer would be very courageous to build houses now. Often developers keep land as so called "land banks" with no intention of developing the area immediately. Developers just keep land for far-off better times ahead.

If this turns out to be the case here eventually, could the developer be approached to see if it would be prepared to allow the nurseries to stay on until such time the space is actually needed for house building?

The cross-town route has opened up so much land owned by the Church of England and Darlington Council to easy public access. Couldn't some alternate piece of ground be found to house these excellent nurseries in Darlington?

I hope when any planning application is considered for development, the matter is referred to the Secretary of State. Since the council is selling the land it is an interested party surely aren't they? No man should be judge and jury in his own cause.

NIGEL F BODDY Fife Road, Darlington.