COUNCILLORS are seeking to protect land around a former police station by making it a town green.

Land at Bede Kirk, in Barnard Castle, was home to the town’s police station since it was opened in 1977 but Durham Police moved out earlier this year to take up residence in the new Emergency Services Quad Hub, in Wilson Street, and the building and land were put up for sale.

To protect the “important green space” for future generations, resident and former town councillor, Thom Robinson, called for councillors at a town council meeting on Monday night to request to register it as a town green.

He applauded the council for applying for tree protection orders (TPOs) for those on the site but said it was not a case of “'job done" in respect of protecting not only the trees but also the space, from development’.”

In a letter to the council, Mr Robinson, said: “Tree protection may serve to protect a tree while it exists in a space but any tree that becomes affected by a development proposal may simply be removed or built around if that scheme acquires planning permission.

“In short, whist a development may consider tree protection it is not bound by it and planning permission ultimately supersedes TPOs.”

He added: “In my opinion this important space deserves protection for the enjoyment of future generations.

“This can be achieved through a common land or village green application. There are a number of criteria involved which I believe this space clearly fulfils.

“If the application is successful the space will be truly safe from development and a true asset to Barnard Castle and its residents.”

The council’s deputy clerk Jane Woodward confirmed councillors voted to apply to register the land as a town green and will also look into exploring its archaeological significance after resident and local historian, Gary Marshall, asked the council to consider undertaking a dig before any new building starts.

He said records show the building was formerly Bede Kirk farm – a Saxon church that is believed to predate the town itself and human bones and other artefacts were found when it was demolished in 1959.

He said: “It has possible connections to the Angle Saxon village of Marwood which allegedly existed before Barnard Castle – there is huge historical significance to the town.

“If it’s turned into a village green that would be fantastic but it would be nice to have a definitive answer to whether it’s historically significant.”

However, the application must show that the land has been used “by a significant number of local people for recreation ‘as of right’ for at least 20 years”.

A report by town clerk, Michael King, said the council may have to collect witness statements going back to at least 1997 to support the application.

To provide evidence to the town council about the land call 01833-690970.