Historic bridleway left untouched as plan rejected (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Historic bridleway left untouched as plan rejected

1:54pm Friday 25th September 2009

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A PUBLIC bridleway which was at the centre of a planning dispute will not be used for as an access for vehicles.

Darlington Borough Council planning committee this week refused permission for a plan to renovate a derelict 17th century farmhouse, Coatham Grange, on the outskirts of Darlington.

The committee was told that the plan to restore the farmhouse accorded with many planning policies.

However, the proposed access to the house, along Patches Lane, a popular bridlepath used by horse riders and walkers, had resulted in 83 letters of objection and a petition signed by 110 people.

Simon Middleton, who runs a nearby livery yard, said his business would be devastated if the plan was given permission.

Patches Lane was only three metres wide and there was not enough room for a car to pass a horse and rider safely, he said.

He also queried the amount of earth which would be needed to be removed from the track in order to make it roadworthy.

Mr Middleton said the number of trucks needed would cause a number of safety issues.

Neville Turnbull, the applicant, said he understood people’s concerns and hoped to resolve them. He added that he also planned to build a nature reserve on the site if it was given permission.

However, members agreed to go along with the planning officer’s recommendation and refused permission for the development.

The lane, a well-used bridleway, is thought to date back to Roman times. It was used for centuries as a drovers’ route into Darlington from the north.

Running from Coatham Lane to Burtree Lane, near Whessoe, it is a favourite with dog walkers and ramblers, as well as horse riders.

Objectors believed the project would jeopardise the safety of members of the public using the lane, ruin the look of the area and believed that it could adversely affect wildlife.

Great crested newts were found near the site during a survey, but Natural England had not objected to the development, claiming the work would not have an impact on the population of the protected amphibian.

The British Horse Association, the Campaign for Rural England, the Ramblers’ Association and Coatham Mundeville Parish Council had all submitted objections.

The council has also received two letters of support.

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