A LONG-RUNNING campaign to save a pocket of green space from being developed for family homes has failed.

A community in Darlington rallied against the proposals to build 40 houses on a playing field after they were unveiled by developers two years ago.

Dedicated members of the Bellburn Lane Field Community Hub hoped to protect the area - popular with families and walkers - after the plans were submitted to Darlington Borough Council to convert the land off Bellburn Lane and Hartington Way.

However, two votes cast in favour of the development has finally seen the project rubber-stamped by the authority’s planning committee.

Mike Crawley, of Friends of Bellburn Lane Field group, led a campaign against Keepmoat’s plans to provide a range of two, three and four-bedroomed properties, including several affordable homes.

He made an impassioned plea to save the site during the committee’s meeting in Darlington Town Hall on Wednesday (September 21), saying: “The council has a responsibility to make sure this application is right. So I would ask, are we that desperate for 40 houses.

“Two or three houses could be absolved into other plans and keep this as an open space.

“Once this space is gone, it’s gone. Where are my grandchildren going to play and where are your grandchildren going to play?”

In the moments after the committee approved the plans, Mr Crawley added: “I hope you know what you’re doing – you’ve got to bear this on your conscious for years.”

Brinkburn and Faverdale ward councillors, Rachel Mills and Sue Richmond also expressed concerns during the meeting.

However, Keepmoat representative, Ian Prescott, assured committee members that every effort had been made to ensure Bellburn Lane residents were happy with the proposals.

Mr Prescott said: “We’ve had lots of discussions with local residents at the site.

“When we got involved, we knew development of this site was controversial, but we know the council had allocated the site for partial development.

“It’s been a controversial scheme, but we’ve had a good rapport with residents.”

During the meeting, it was revealed that Darlington Borough Council had approached Keepmoat two years ago with a view to develop the land that had originally been earmarked for a school.

The council’s principle planning officer, David Coates, said: “This site has been the subject of interest for the council and residents for some time now.

“The developers, Keepmoat, have taken their responsibilities very seriously and have engaged with residents during three community events and I think that process can be commended.

“The site was historically allocated for a school but residents have said how important the open space is to them. However, the idea to develop this part of the land has always been on the agenda.”