CONSULTATION events will continue this week over controversial plans for up to 6,000 new homes on more than 30 sites across Darlington.

As reported in The Northern Echo in recent weeks, pockets of opposition have begun cropping up to various proposed developments in Darlington Borough Council's draft Making and Growing Places (MGP) document.

MGP sets out preferred locations for new homes, businesses, shops, schools and sports facilities across the borough up to 2026.

Following an initial consultation last summer, objections have been raised to housing sites including:

* 605 homes at Burdon Hill, on the eastern fringe of Darlington

* 24 homes in Eggleston View, close to Cocker Beck.

There are also plans for hundreds of homes on the western fringe of Darlington, between West Park and the A1(M) and more centrally as part of the Town Centre Fringe and Central Park projects.

A number of other smaller parcels of land are also under consideration.

Hundreds of people attended a 'drop in' consultation event in Cockerton and Haughton last week, with more planned in the coming days.

The events are taking place in key locations close to where new sites are designed to give residents the opportunity to find out more and share their views.

The next event takes place at Whessoe Parish Hall on Wednesday, between 5pm and 7pm. Residents from nearby areas, particularly the Beaumont Hill and Harrowgate Hill areas, are urged to attend, to find out more about two options for a housing development of around 370 homes with a new primary school and nursery on land north of the White Horse Pub, and around Burtree Lane and Berrymead Farm.

Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: "It is important that we find out what people think about these revised plans for where new housing should go, and that people affected by new proposed sites have the same opportunity to comment as people did last year on the initial proposed sites.

“New housing is essential to support our ambitions for economic growth and a better quality of life for all.”

Further consultations will be held at Darlington Outdoor Market, on Saturday, from 10am to 2pm, and Gurney Pease Primary School, in Dodsworth Street, from 5pm to 7pm, on Monday, June 30.

Comments on the plans must be received by July 4.

The finalised MGP plan will be introduced next year.

For more information, visit darlington.gov.uk/mgp